Charles Heaphy approached local Māori for assistance to explore Te Tau Ihu. A guide was provided to accompany him on his travels. In 1846, Charles Heaphy and Thomas Brunner made the trip south from Massacre to Te Tai Poutini. Heaphy described the Poutini coastal trail, one of the oldest greenstone trails in New Zealand, on his journey south. From Pakawau Pā, the trail went to Whanganui Inlet, across the Inlet before traversing limes tone cliffs and out to the coast at Hapū Stream. The leg to Kahurangi Point followed headlands and sandy beaches crossing the waters of the Paturau, Anatori and Anaweka Rivers. Pounamu is a highly valued taonga, but traditionally greenstone was also an important item for trade. The campsites of tūpuna who travelled north and south between Whanganui Inlet and other find spots were located adjacent to these awa and along the coastline of Tai Tapu. In addition to these kāinga, pā sites were plentiful, providing an indication of the significance of these rivers, and this coastline to tūpun a. The wāhi tap u and mahinga kai associated with the Paturau, Anatori and Anaweka Rivers link present- day iwi physically and emotio nally with their tūpuna. The maintenance of the customs and traditions associated with these awa is therefore paramount to the cultural wellbeing of Ngāti Rārua. WAIRAU RIVER DIVERSION CONSERVATION AREA, WAIRAU RIVER, MARGINAL STRIPS A ND WAIRAU RIVER, OMAKA RIVER, AND ŌPAOA RIVER AND THEIR TRIBUTARIES The Wairau River, including its tributaries, has cultural, historical, traditional and above all spiritual significance to Ngāti Rārua. The word Wairau translates as “one hundred” or “many waters” and refers to the vast network of waterways and wetlands feeding into this mighty river. It is Marlborough’s largest river and originates from the Spenser Mountains, flowing down through the Wairau plains before entering the sea at the Wairau Bar. The Wairau was a major settlement area for Ngāti Rārua, with initial settlements at the mouth of the river before establishing kāinga (homes) along the ban ks of the river in particular. The river and its waterways were an integral part of a network of trails, which were used in order to e nsure the safest journey. Tūpuna had an intimate knowledge of navigation, river routes, landing places, and the locations of food and other resources along the river. For a long time tūpāpaku would be taken across the river from the pā to be buried at Otamawaha (Māori Island). Before earthquake and flooding changed the course of the river the urupā and surrounding lands were part of the p ā. The river was and continues to be a significant mahinga kai, where various food sources were collected along the river and at its mouth, including tuna, whitebait / īnanga, freshwater koura, pātiki and kahawai, along with birds such as the grey duc k. According to Ngāti Rārua tradition there are two taniwha who are associated with the Wairau River and live at opposite ends of the waterway. These taniwha came with Ngāti Rārua from their former homelands in the N orth. At the lower end of the river is a taniwha that takes the shape of a woman and at the upper end of the river is another which is in the form of a log and is seen travelling upstream against the current. For Ngāti Rārua these taniwha are the kaitiaki of the river and the iw i. The river as a source of water to Ngāti Rārua is paramount. The water resource sustains everything living around it, including the iwi. It is the mauri or lifeforce that has sustained and nurtured the Ngāti Rārua of Wairau for generation s. PARA SWAMP WILDLIFE RESERVE Para Swamp Wildlife Reserve is located north of Blenheim in the Waitohi Valley. The site is culturally and historically significant to Ngāti Rārua. The swamp is fed from the north Te Tau Ihu Statutory Acknowledgements Page 80 of 163