Rivers provided Ngāti Rārua with routes into the hinterlands to gather resources. These resources formed the basis for both economic and social relationships of iwi living in Te Tau Ihu. Waka were used to negotiate the waterways, therefore traditional tauranga waka (landing sites) are located along many of the rivers in the rohe. The relationship Ngāti Rārua has maintained with ngā awa since their arrival in Te Tau Ihu is reflected in the history of resource protection and use by Ngāti Rārua as kaitiaki. Tuna Tuna are taonga, a species that has been central to the lives of Ngāti Rārua for generations. The places where tūpuna harvested eels were important tribal areas. Gathering and processing tuna was a customary practice that strengthened the kinship of iwi and whānau. Customary management practices followed the lifecycle of the tuna, and harvesting was regulated according to the seasons. Pā harakeke Prior to the arrival of the European settlers, harakeke was a very important and versatile plant species for iwi. Pā harakeke supplied tūpuna with raw products, such as timber and o ther building materials, rongoā and weaving materials. The two main industr ies associated with Whakatū, pakohe and fishing, utilised large quantities of flax. Pakohe was carried out of the Mahitahi River catchment using flax kete and harakeke fibre was used to catch fish in the rivers and adjacent estuary areas. The harekeke wetland areas and associated lowland forests provided an important habitat for nesting birds and fish species. A large number of freshwater fish species were harvested inc luding kokopū, paraki (smelt), īn anga, piharau (lamprey) tuna and kōaro. Although, freshwater fish and tuna have been severely depleted, they are still an important reso urce for whānau toda y. Ngahere Traditionally, papakāinga in the river valley were surrounded by an abundant source of timber. The river flats were heavily foreste d with tōtara and rimu, along with lush dense stands of other native timbers. The fruits of the trees were a source of food. A vast range of edible products were harvested from the forests including karaka berries, ngāio, kawakawa, rimu, matai, supplejack, hinau, miro and tōtara, as well as the young leaves, hearts and shoots of the nikau palm. Rātā blossom honey and the trunk pith and frond stems of mama ku (black tree fern) were gathered by tūpuna. Kiekie fruit was used to make a fermented drink for ceremonies. Manu In pre-European times, the birdlife associated with ngā awa was plentiful. Kererū, kākāpō, tui, korimako, weka, kākā and kiwi were found in the forests that hugged the river valleys; pūkeko and ducks were harvested in the wetland areas. The blue du ck or whio was comm on on the faster flowing w a aters. Ngā manu were not only important as source of food, but the feathers were used for cloaks and decorating garments. Mātauranga Mātauranga associated with the collection of resources from ngā awa was ce ntral to the lives of tūpuna and remains a significant part of the cultural identity of Ngāti Rārua today. Mātaur anga and associated tikanga, karakia and kawa are all essential for maintaining customary traditions - the ritual and tapu associated with gathering and utilising resourc es. Examples include the collection of plants for rongoā (medicinal purposes), harvesting of different species according to the seasons or tohu (signs), or the collection of plants for dying and weaving kete. Mātauranga Māori is intertwined with ngā awa and the many resources associated with their water s. Te Tau Ihu Statutory Acknowledgements Page 74 of 163