Ngāti Kōata associations with Maungatapu are central to our history, identity, kaitiakitanga and mauri. This wāhi incorporates our cultural values; Ngāti Kōata has mana, whakapapa associations and history at Maungatapu. Ngāti Kōata have tikanga and kawa, including tapu and noa at Maungatapu. The traditional kaitiaki relationship is emphasised through the spiritual relationship between Ngāti Kōata and the natural environment. The mauri is a critical element of the spiritual life force of this area, and is therefore an important relationship for Ngāti Kōata. Ngāti Kōata are identified as tangata whenua at Maungatapu. MOAWHITU (RANGITOTO KI TE TONGA / D'URVILLE ISLAND) This wāhi tapu incorporates the Ngāti Kōata cultural values of take tuku, take tūpuna and take ah i kaa roa and is intrinsic to our cultural identity. This is an area where our tūpuna lived and exercised mana. Moawhitu is of cultural, spiritual, histori c and traditional significance to Ngāti Kōata. Moawhitu was traditionally one of the main settlements for Ngāti Kōata on Rangitoto. The beach and settlement was located on the northern shore of Greville Harbour surrounding an inland lagoon and was used as a mahinga kai. The lagoon itself was an important source for eeling and provided access from the harbour inland to the lagoon for canoe landing. Moawhitu was a significant mahinga kai for Ngāti Kōata. It was so highly valued that tribal member s would row from Whakapuaka to Moawhitu for the specific purpose of eeling. Eels were an important part of Ngāti Kōata traditional diet. It is said that the old people would get hungry for tuna and that there was a system whereby everybody would have a t urn at collecting it. Eeling was eare rg as a comunl m aatvi ty an d the dd ci catch would be shared amongst the whānau of Ngāti Kōata. The tuna at Moawhitu were large and there was a plentiful supply. Eels would leave Moawhitu Lagoon and migrate to the sea every year in March. There is a rock named the March Rock or Tuna Heke Rock, which is located at this site as a marker of the annual event. Moawhitu was a significant cultural historical eel fishing ground for Ngāti Kōata. Later Ngāti Kōata lost the eel fishery which was a great loss to our iwi. Wharariki, a special species of flax, is also found at Moawhitu. Wharariki is strong and has minimal fibre, which was of plentiful supply and use to Ngāti Kōata tūpuna. Ngāti Kōata have since their arrival been kaitiaki of the wharariki at Moawhitu. Moawhitu is significant to Ngāti Kōata due to the events prior to their settlement at the bay. Oral traditions describe a massive tidal wave wiping out all the inhabitants of the area. Moawh itu is also the site of a huge battle in the beach area, where bones could be found everywhere. Even today kōiwi and artefacts are frequently eroded from the dunes at Moawhitu, especially after stormy seas or high tides. Ngāti Kōata associations with Moawhitu are central to our history, identity, kaitiakitanga and mauri. This wāhi incorporates our cultural values; Ngāti Kōata has mana, whakapapa associations and history at Moawhitu. Ngāti Kōata have tikanga and kawa, including tapu and noa at Moawhitu. The traditional kaitiaki relationship is emphasised through the spiritual relationship between Ngāti Kōata and the natural environment. The mauri is a critical element of the spiritual life force of this area, and is therefore an important relationship for Ngāti Kōata. Ngāti Kōata are identified as tangata whenua at Moawhitu. Te Tau Ihu Statutory Acknowledgements Page 57 of 163