settlements also gave Ngati Toa Rangatira access to trade opportunities with early settlers. There was multiple whaling stations established within the rohe of Ngati Toa Rangatira, including on Kapiti Island, at Porirua, Mana Island, Port Underwood, Wairau and on Arapaoa Island. Control of Te Moana o Raukawa was important to Ngati Toa Rangatira for political and economic reasons, but this was not the total extent of the significance of the lands and sea of this region. Te Moana o Raukawa could be relied upon at different parts of the seasons for its well-sheltered bays and the supplies of fish in the harbours. Following the migration of the iwi from Kawhia, Ngati Toa Rangatira were re-established in an environment with great potential and opportunity for expansion; this allowed the iwi to revitalise their identity which was largely shaped by the material conditions of Te Moana o Raukawa. To Ngati Toa Rangatira, Te Moana o Raukawa was never seen as a barrier to maintaining their areas of mana whenua on both sides of Cook Strait. Instead, Te Moana o Raukawa was more akin to a highway, which facilitated the transportation of resources and trade goods across Cook Strait, and enabled the development of key relationships between Ngati Toa Rangatira and their communities of interest. Thus, it has always been considered to be just as much a part of the iwi‟s rohe as the land up on which they settled. Te Moana o Raukawa remains a site of immense cultural, historical, and spiritual significance to Ngati Toa Rangatira. Ngati Toa Rangatira are kaitiaki of Te Moana o Raukawa and its resources. Ngati Toa Rangatira regard Te Moana o Raukawa as one of their most significant resources. The extensive fisheries resources that exist in the strait provide for the iwi‟s customary fishing, and allow the iwi to manaaki manuhiri at Ngati Toa Rangatira hui. Te Tau Ihu Statutory Acknowledgements Page 156 of 163