wellbeing. The significance of Maungatapu is recognised in the pepehā of Ngāti Kōata: ―”Ko Maungatapu te maunga…” Maungatapu stands within the Maungatapu District and is linked to the legend of Ngahue and Poutini. These significant stories illustrate that from the very earliest times, tribes from all over the country knew about the precious resources to be found in Te Tau Ihu. Ngahue was the atua (guardian) of pounamu (greenstone). He and his taniwha, Poutini, were the guardians of this taonga. A dispute between Ngahue and his adversary Hine-tu-ahoanga entangled their taniwha. Poutini was driven out of Hawaiki by Whatipu (the taniwha of Hine-tu-ahoanga) and pursued to different places around New Zealand. One of the places Poutini found temporary refuge was Whangamoa (the range of hills between Nelson and Pelorus). This refuge is where argillite can be found along the Nelson Mineral Belt, which extends from Rangitoto, to Askew‘s Hill and along the Whangamo a Ranges and the Maitai Valley and stretching to the south into Te Waipounamu. For Ngāti Kōata, the Mineral Belt is very sacred, as it was used by tūpuna as a path of healing. Black/gre y pakohe is unique to Te Tau Ihu o te Waka a Maui. Traditionally, it was a highly valued taonga, a mineral of great hardness and strength, which could be customarily manufactured into all manner of tools and weapons, such as adzes. Ngāti Kōata maintains a strong cultural association with pakohe and whānau have dynamically adapted the use of pakohe for contemporary purposes and uses at Maungatapu. The tools fashioned from this taonga were used to collect and pre pare kai, and other natural material resources gathered from the land and sea. Archaeological finds, relating to pakohe, tell a story of how thi s relationship developed over time. Of great significance is the mātauranga used to create the array of tools and the patterns and styles developed by Ngāti Kōata iwi. Pakohe was also a valuable item for trade. Traditionally, Ngāti Kōata used Maungatapu as a navigation point. This maunga continues to be a geographical landmark for journeys by sea and land. Whānau also travelled between the Wairau and Whakatū via a trail, which crossed the Maungatapu District. There are a number of wāhi near Maungatapu that are sacred and significant to Ngāti Kōata and form part of the ”community of association” that Maungatapu represented. Mātangi Āwhio was a settlement in line of sight of Maungatapu where many Ngāti Kōata lived both upon arrival in Te Tau Ihu and later as whānau needed to leave the rural areas for urban work and schooling. Mātangi Āwhio was where the waka landed and goods for trade were unloaded and loaded prior to most of the reclamation which made passage to the settlement mostly impossible. Punawai was a large Ngāti Kōata settlement both upon arrival in Te Tau Ihu and later when Nelson w as undergoing European settlement. Here the chief Karepa te Whetu penned some of his short stories. Here Ngāti Kōata maintained watch on the entran ce to the safe harbour at Whakatū (Nelson). Mānuka was the small fishing village in front of Punawai and was used seasonally by Ngāti Kōata for catching and processing of fish. Pikimai was a fortified pa built on a small hill on what is now known as Cathedral Hill. It was used as a safe refuge in time of need and was close to a major inland mahinga kai (now Queens Gardens). Queens Gardens. The loss of this land for Ngāti Kōata was felt so strongly due to its rich source of kai. It formed part of the extensive wetlands associated with the Maitai River and was a major food gathering place which was then traded for fish and other coastal foods in plentiful supply northward at Rangitoto. Te Tau Ihu Statutory Acknowledgements Page 56 of 163