but Te Rangihaeata was not. More Europeans escaped than were killed. Ngati Toa Rangatira then temporarily withdrew from the northern South Island, acting on the assumption that they were going to be attacked. Buller River and its tributaries (northern portion) The Buller River is of cultural, historical, spiritual and traditional significance to Ngati Toa Rangatira. Following the taua of 1829-1832, Ngati Toa Rangatira expanded their interests into the South Island; these interests extended at least as far south as the Buller River. The source of Kawatiri is the Lake Rotoiti, another site of significance to Ngati Toa Rangatira. In the mid-1800’s one of the valuable resources that the Kawatiri provided was gold. Maori miners, including Ngati Toa Rangatira, travelled along Kawatiri by waka to reach the more remote goldfields and also developed innovative mining methods. Hohepa Tamaihengia of Ngati Toa Rangatira was a successful miner on the Buller goldfields. In the hope of securing a better gold price he built a beautifully modelled whale boat, which was about 30 feet long, at the Quartz Ranges, which his party sailed down the Buller River and on to Wellington. Hohepa Tamaihenga was the son of Te Matoe and Hinekoto, both of Ngati Toa Rangatira. Hinekoto was the older half sister of Te Rauparaha. Hohepa Tamaihenga was the younger brother of Rawiri Puaha. Rawiri married Ria Waitohi the daughter of Te Peehi Kupe - a paramount chief of Ngati Toa Rangatira killed at Kaiapohia Pa. Waimea River and its tributaries The river mouth of the Waimea is located in Tasman Bay, opposite Rabbit Island. The river itself, and the surrounding area is of cultural, historical, spiritual and traditional significance to Ngati Toa Rangatira. Ngati Toa Rangatira’s association stems from the invasion by the Ngati Toa Rangatira taua into Te Tau Ihu in the 1820s. By the end of that decade, Ngati Toa Rangatira and their allies had secured rights and interests over the land in the districts of Te Tau Ihu. A further taua in 1831-1832 further secured the passing of the lands of Western Te Tau Ihu from the original inhabitants to the northern alliance. Ngati Toa Rangatira had a significant interest in the Tasman Bay area and the Waimea plains. In the 1830s there were some scattered Ngati Toa Rangatira pa and kainga sites in the Tasman Bay area, and Te Rauparaha made frequent visits there. At the time of the Ngati Toa Rangatira presence in Tasman Bay; the land surrounding the Waimea River was primarily covered in fern and scrub, as well as patches of swamp. Bird species and fish species were abundant in the region. The Waimea River was utilised as a travel route; and the mouth of the river used as a landing site. Motueka River and its tributaries The Motueka River is a site of cultural, historical, spiritual and traditional significance to Ngati Toa Rangatira. Ngati Toa Rangatira’s association stems from the invasion of the Ngati Toa Rangatira taua which set forth from the Kapiti region in the mid 1820s. A further taua in 1831- 1832 further secured the passing of the lands of Western Te Tau Ihu from the original inhabitants to the northern alliance. Ngati Toa Rangatira had a significant interest in the Tasman Bay area, including Motueka and the Motueka River. Te Whiro, a Ngati Toa Rangatira chief and younger brother of Rawiri Puaha, went to the area and died there. Te Tau Ihu Statutory Acknowledgements Page 152 of 163