mark the beginning of the Pelorus sound, an important area of Ngati Toa Rangatira settlement in the nineteenth century, the principal kainga being on Paruparu Island (known today as Forsyth Island). Following the taua of 1829-1832, Ngati Toa Rangatira expanded their interests into the South Island, forging relationships with Europeans traders and whalers and trading in the natural resources of the area. During the 1830 and 1840s, there were relatively large scale flax harvesting activities being undertaken in Te Hoiere by those under the authority of Te Rauparaha. The Pelorus Sound and Pelorus River were abundant with food resources, used intensively by Ngati Toa Rangatira, including both freshwater and salt water species, as well as birds. The area is still of significance to Ngati Toa Rangatira, with many waahi tapu throughout the wider Pelorus basin. Malcolm’s Bay Scenic Reserve, Arapaoa Island Located on, and in the vicinity of, Arapaoa Island are numerous sites of cultural significance to Ngati Toa Rangatira. Within Onaukau Bay are located three pa and kainga sites; these were the Ruapara Bay Pa, the Mokopeke Bay Pa and the Fitzgerald Bay pa. These settlements were all occupied by Ngati Toa Rangatira at various times, originally being settled following the iwi’s invasion of Te Tau Ihu in the 1820s. Te Aroha Bay, located nearby, was an important area for resources, both gathered and grown as part of cultivations. The area remains a source of finfish and shellfish. Arapaoa was also strategic in that it enabled Ngati Toa Rangatira easy access to the fisheries resources of Te Moana o Raukawa. Okukari Pa, located in Okukari Bay, was the first pa attacked by Ngati Toa Rangatira as part of Te Rauparaha’s campaign to respond to the Tukituki aruhe insult. The final outcome of the campaign was the establishment of a vast area under the mana of Ngati Toa Rangatira and their allies. Following this action the Ngati Toa Rangatira settlement of Wharehunga pa was established in Okukari Bay. Located at Te Awaiti was the Te Awaiti whaling station. Built in 1827, it was one of the first whaling stations to be established in New Zealand. The station provided a view of the whole of Te Moana o Raukawa and was home to a large body of Ngati Toa Rangatira who, according to historical sources, had established good quality houses and stores of pigs, potatoes and flax. Te Awaiti also has cu ltural significance as a wāhi tapu and urupa location. Lands at Te Awaiti were given by Te Rauparaha and Te Rangihaeata to Joseph Thoms at the behest of Nohorua. A small urupa is sited on the lands and Te Ua Torikiriki, Joseph Thom’s wife and Nohorua’s daughter, was interred there. Maitai River and its tributaries The Maitai River is of cultural, historical, spiritual and traditional significance to Ngati Toa Rangatira. In the 1830s, some of Te Rauparaha’s children were burned on the banks of the river while on route to Te Tai Tapu; because of this the land was declared tapu and subsequently was uninhabited by Maori at the time of European settlement. Therefore, contrary to the perception of the European colonisers, lack of settlement was not an indication of the cultural importance of the land; in fact, it remained an important site to Ngati Toa Rangatira and this was expressed in letters written to George Grey in 1851 and 1852 by a number of Ngati Toa Rangatira chiefs. Te Whatarauhi Nohorua, Rawiri Puaha, Matene Te Whiwhi, Hohepa Tamaihengia, Nopera Te Ngiha and Ropata Hurumutu, explained their claim to the land in the Nelson area, using the incident at Maitai to assert Te Rauparaha’s personal interest in the region. According to the Ngati Toa Rangatira chiefs, Te Rauparaha and his children Tamihana, Aamina and their eldest brother suffered serious burns. The eldest brother and Aamina were both burned all over their heads and bodies; Tamihana was burned down one side Te Tau Ihu Statutory Acknowledgements Page 149 of 163