spiritually to their tūpuna. Therefore, the maintenance of customs and traditions associated with the coast is paramount to Ngāti Rārua. Statement Of Values For Te Tai Tapu Te Tai Tapu is a taonga of immense traditional, historical and cultural significance to Ngāti Rārua. The relationship of Ngāti Rārua to Te Tai Tapu dates back to the first expeditions by Nih o T e Hamu and Takerei Whareaitu to this area and is as important to present day iwi as it was to their tūpuna. This area was originally some 90,000 acres in size and the length of occupation, the abundance of natural resources and the prehistoric coastal trail to Te Tai Poutini all contribute to its importance. For Ngāti Rārua the true extent of the Tai Tapu rohe extends south from Onetahu a – Farewell Spit inclusive of Whanganui Inlet down to the Kawatiri (Buller River). From the time Ngāti Rārua first arrived and settled Te Tai Tapu and up until it was alienated from them they settled in prime and strategic locations along the coast of Te Tai Tapu The settlements in Te Tai Tapu, such as those within the Whanganui Inlet and at the mouth of the Paturau, Anatori and Anaweka Rivers were crucial points along the pounamu trail to Te Tai Poutini. On the trail south to Te Tai Poutini, these settlements provided important bases for tūpuna to harvest resources and stock up with food for their journey. Evidence of Ngāti Rārua settlement can still be seen at the mouth of certain rivers and at the many traditional camping sites dotted along this formidable coastline. Middens, ovens and cave and rock shelters provide an indication of the importance of this area to tūpuna. Ngāti Rārua were to the fore when Te Tai Tapu was successfully excluded from the Waipounamu Deed of 1855. When gold was discovered in Te Tai Tapu Ngāti Rārua was involved not only in the mining but also in the issuing of mining licences. Despite Te Tai Tapu finally being alienated from Maori ownership in 1884 Ngāti Rārua has fiercely maintained its connection with this whenua and whanau still uphold traditional practices of mahinga kai and resource gathering within Te Tai Tapu. The descendants of Ngāti Rārua rangatira Riwai Turangapeke who held influence over the Whanganui In let continually return to their ancestral lands to preserve and protect their connection to this area. The wāhi tapu and mahinga kai associated with Te Tai Tapu link present-day iwi physically and emotionally with their tūpuna. The maintenance of the customs and traditions associated with area is therefore paramount to the cultural wellbeing of Ngāti Rārua. Te Tau Ihu Statutory Acknowledgements Page 86 of 163