(Meretoto), Port Gore (Te Anamāhanga), Mahau Sound, D ’Urville Island and the area around Brothers Islands (Ngā Whatu-kai-ponu) in Cook Strait (Raukawa moana). The coastline of the East Coast and Marlborough Sounds formed a vast fishery and maj or communication routes linking numerous Rangitāne communities. The waters of the Marlborough Sounds formed important t rade routes with other Kurahaupo com mun ities in the west coast of Te Tau Ihu. The sheltered waters of the Sounds m ea nt tha t Ra ngitāne could fish and travel these water the year. Coastal s at most times of fish s and other resources were controlled and managed by the various Rangitāne erie hapū, who exercised a strong conservation ethic or kaitiaki role. The Rangitāne hapū and iwi have strong and unbroken traditional, historical, cultural and spiritual associations wi th this long coastline and its rich ecosystems. These associations remain stron g in the traditions of present day Rangitāne, and are central to the identity and wellbei ng (mauri) of the iwi. The celebrated voyager Kupe also arrived in the region following his battle in the Marlborough Sounds with the giant squid Te Wheke a Muturangi. This encounter had rendered his waka unseaworthy and he carried out repairs at his campsite in Cloudy Bay. Kupe soon came into conflict with Te Hau and his people. A series of running battles took place, the effects of which changed the landscape and apparently persuaded Kupe to return to the North Island. The name of a hill where Kupe recited a karakia prior to returning to the North Island is known today as Nga Taumanu o Te Matahourua (the thwarts of Ku pe’s canoe) and the original sail of his waka is said to be in a cave at Parinui-o-Whiti (White Bluffs), just south of the Wairau Lagoons. Rangitāne who descend from Waipuna, the great-g randdaughter of Kupe, migrated to the Wairau District in t he mid 16th ce ntury Under the leadership of Te Huataki, Te . Rerewa , Te Whakam ana and Tukanae established pā, kainga and cultivations extending from Anamāhanga throughout the Marlborough Sounds to Cloudy Bay and beyond. The Wai rau Lagoons and the Wairau Riv er mouth, with its extensive complex of pā, kainga, cu ltivati ons and fishing grounds, formed the cultural, economic and spiritual heart of the Rangitān were rich eeling and birding grounds of The lagoons themselves e iwi. ine stimable importance. According to Rangitāne tradition, Te Huataki, leader of the Rangitāne hapū who settled the Wairau, was f irst drawn to the area because of th e bountiful resources of the lagoons. Extens ive modification of the natural waterways was carried out by Rangitāne from the mid- 1700s. They dug massive channels an d ponds for trapping fish, eels and wildfowl. Se veral of these canals were named for t he t upuna who are p articularly associate d with them, including Morepo and Tuka ua e (O Kauae). A number of major pā were b uilt in and around the lagoon complex to pr of this treasured otect the resources area. They included Te Kowhai (residence of th e e), Ruataniwha, Te rangatira Ruaoneon Whi ringa o Tukauae and Te Pokohiwi. A rock fo rmation running out to sea for about a cha in near Te Pokohiwi contained an abunda nt source of mussels. Pukatea (White's Bay) in Cloudy Bay contained an extensive complex of cultivations, pā and kainga. It was also renowned for its eels and kaimoana. A giant taniwha named Ngarara Hua rau lived in a cave at the north end of Rārangi Beach (Moneys Bay). This monster t errorised local people and was killed by the tu puna Rongomai, the builder of the main pā at Pukatea . A Rangitāne pā named Horokaka was located on the island of Horahora Kākahu in Port Underwood. The Rangitāne tupuna Ihaia Kaikoura signed the Treaty of Waitangi at this place on June 17, 1840. Queen Charlotte Sound and Arapaoa Island contained many Rang itāne pā, kainga, cultivation sites, tauranga waka and places where kaimoana were caught. Whatamango, near Waikawa (present day Picton) was an important shark fishery, and many platforms for drying sharks could be found there. It was also a renowned source of shellfish. A large and powerful pā named Te Rae-o-te-Karaka dominated this area. Te Tau Ihu Statutory Acknowledgements Page 51 of 163