mana, whakapapa associations and history at Cullen Point. Ngāti Kōata have tikanga and kawa, including tapu and noa at Cullen Point. 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 Cullen Point. OTUHAEREROA ISLAND AND MOTUANAURU ISLAND These wāhi tapu incorporate the Ngāti Kōata cultural values of take tuku, take tūpuna and take ah i kaa roa and are intrinsic to our cultural identity. This is an area where ou r tūpuna lived and exercised mana. Otuhaereroa and Motuanauru Islands are of cultural, spiritual, historic and traditional significance to Ngāti Kōata. Otuhaereroa and Motuanauru Islands are situated at the en trance to Okiwi Bay and Matapihi and are adjacent to Whangarae. These areas were oc cupation sites for Ngāti Kōata, especially after they were driven out of Whakapuaka. Ngāti Kōata whānau often had food gathering picnics on the rocky coast of Otuhaereroa. This Island was a favoured tītī gathering place in its season. Stories have also been passed down of men catching shark with their bare hands while being perched on some of the outcrop rocks. Otuhaereroa and Motuanauru Islands were also navigation aids to iwi members travelling via the sea from Rangitoto to Whakapuaka or Whakatū, and marked a mid- point of the journey. When the north westerly blew, the harbour inside these Islands became a safe shelter. Ngāti Kōata associations with Otuhaereroa and Motuanauru Islands are central to our history, identity, kaitiakitanga and mauri. These wāhi incorporate our cultural values; Ngāti Kōata has mana, whakapapa associations and history at Otuhaereroa and Motuanauru Islands. Ngāti Kōata have tikanga and kawa, including tapu and noa at Otuhaereroa and Motuanauru Islands. 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 Otuhaereroa and Motuanauru Islands. THE RIVERS STATEMENTS OF ASSOCIATION Ngāti Kōata Values These wāhi tapu incorporate the Ngāti Kōata cultural values of take tuku, take tūpuna and take ah i kaa roa and is intrinsic to our cultural identity. These are areas that our tūpuna lived and exercised mana. The Pelorus, Maitai, Waimea and Whangamoa awa are taonga to Ngāti Kōata. They are the ribs of the tūpuna which plunge from the maunga down to the sea, creating wetlands and swamps. Ngā awa carry the lifeblood of Papatūānuku and the tears of Ranginui. The wai flowing through these rivers symbolises the spiritual link between the past and present. Each awa has a mauri and wairua of its own. For Ngāti Kōata, ngā awa are a source of wai, an essential element of life. Wai is considered to t ranscend life itself, as it sustains the physical and spiritual survival of all things. Ngā awa support many water creatures which are an integral part of these rivers and can therefore not be separated from them. An important source of rongoā, the cleanliness and quality of the water within ngā awa is paramount. The protection of the water as a resource is therefore culturally and spiritually important to Ngāti Kōata. Te Tau Ihu Statutory Acknowledgements Page 59 of 163