the source of the Riuwaka, a carved waharoa represents Ngāti Rārua on the right and Te Ātiawa on the left with Hui Te Rangiora at its apex. The Riuwaka River is closely linked to Puketāwhai, a low hill located at the mouth of the Riuwaka River within Tapu Bay. Puketāwhai, also known as Pā hill or Pā Point is culturally significant. A former harbour, pā site and kāinga, it is a wāhi tapu associated with the Riuwaka River. Tāmati Parana, a revered tōhunga lived at the northern end of Tapu Bay, close to the tapu Riuwaka River. As a tōhunga, he placed his tūahu (altar) near to the Riuwaka in order to be close to the source of his medicine, the white healing stones within its waters. These stones continue to be of great cultural significance to Ngāti Rārua for healing purposes. Traditionally, the Riuwaka River catchment was an abundant food basket, with diverse ecosystems and species associated with those habitats. The estuary area, where the Riuwaka River flows into the sea was rich in pipi, tuangi (cockles) tio (oyster), titiko (mud snails) and other shellfish. Pātiki (flounder) kānae (mullet) and kahawai were plentiful, but tāmure (snapper) dominate the middens in the area. The flat land within the Riuwaka catchment consisted of a number of wetlands. Dom inant tree species included kahikatea, pukatea, and tī kōuka (cabbage trees). Sed ges, harekeke and raupo were prevale nt in the wetter areas. Pockets of podocarp existed among these wetlands, with tōtara, matai and kahikatea dominant species. These forests provided the ideal habitat for a large number of birds. The wetlands, with associated ponds and streams were important providers of kai, raw materials for building a nd plants for weaving. This food basket included tuna, whitebait and adult kokopū and īnanga. The upokororo (graylin g), which is now extinct, was also present. Water birds were another abundant resourc e to be harvested. The lowland forest consisted of many species that provided building materials and rongoā for the tūpuna living there. Matai, tōtara and rimu were used for building and carving. Karaka seeds were soaked and steamed in an umu to remove toxins before being dried and ground to make flour for c akes. Tawa berries could be eaten and Tito ki was highly valued for its oil. Tī kōuka provided a source of sugar. Tūpuna used the fertile drier land to grow crops. Archaeological surveys have found approximately twenty-five hec tares of gard The principal crop en soils within the Riuwaka catchment. was probably kūmara, but hue (gourd), taro and yam were also grown there. The Riuwaka River catchment is steeped in history. The wāhi tapu and taonga associated with this sacred awa are numerous. Wāhi tapu and taonga link present day whānau with their tūpuna. The cultural identity and spiritual well being of Ngāti Rārua is intertwined with this awa and the associated resources. AORERE RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES Aorere is a sacred island in Hawaiki. The name Aorere was given to Collingwood, Tasman Bay and two is lands off Abel Tasman National Park, Motu Aorere-nui (Ad ele Island) and Motu Aor ere-iti (Fisherman’s Island). In colonial times, Aorere was one of the focal points of habitation for tūpuna. Approximately 300 hectares of land embraced cultivation and habitation sites, urupā and mahinga kai. These sites began at the mouth of the Aorere River and stretched up the valley for at least five kilometres. Aorere, which can be translated as the place of the flyin g or moving clouds, was the name of the place at the mouth of the Aorere River and encompassed the hinterland areas along the River. At the mouth of the Aorere River, the tip of the promontory, now called Collingwood, was the site of the Aorere Pā, home to Tāmati Pirimona Marino of Ngāti Rārua descent. Marino exercised manaakitanga during the gold rushes, providing all who came to the di ggings with food and although he eventually had entertainment, to limit his hospitality to Māori miners. As well as providing a base for surveyors and other travellers, Aorere Pā supplied river transport. Te Tau Ihu Statutory Acknowledgements Page 78 of 163