There is evidence of hundreds of years of Māori cultivation on the plains. On the western side between Eve’s Valley and the mouth of the Waimea, the fertility of the soils has been enhanced by vegetable matter, charcoal, sand and fine gravel. Some of these organic materials date back to the 14th century. The archaeological evidence of this early occupation from sites near Appleby and Waimea West includes implements and personal ornaments that have similarities with Eastern Polynesian designs. The Waimea was the gateway to the trading route between Whakatū (Nelson) and Te Tai Poutini (West Coast). Goods were often exchanged between the Waimea / Whakatū iwi and Te Tai Poutini tribes. The Waimea iwi offered kumara, dried snapper and argillite tools, which were valuable taonga not obtainable on the Coast. The harakeke wetlands on the fringe of the Waimea estuary extended up the Valley towards Brightwater. This extensive area contained pockets of wooded areas: kahikatea and pukatea in the wetter sites, and tōtara, matai and rimu on drier sites. The mouth of the Waimea River provided Ngāti Tama ki Te Tau Ihu tūpuna with a plentiful supply of harakeke, four varieties of which could be found. The fine, long-fibred variety was suitable for net making. A coarser long-fibred type was suitable for ropes and cords, an in termediate type for kete, and a finer short-fibre variety for more delicate work, such as kākahu (cloaks) an d taniko (borders and other decorative work). MOTUEKA RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES Traditionally, the Motueka River was the source of life. The water channels, swamps and wooded areas associated with the river were habitats supporting a huge food basket. Oral traditions identify the Motueka River and flood plain as an extensive and bountiful mahinga kai from which to gather a huge variety of natural resources. Floods would replenish and fertilise the catchment, enabling iwi to cultivate food. Modified soils, argillite adzes, drill points, whalebone patu and pounamu pendants convey the kind of association iwi had wit h the Motueka River catchment and surrounding lands. Wāhi tapu sites found in the Motueka River catchment include the area from the Motueka Wharf to Thorpe St, which was once an extensive garden, the raised sand dunes providing n atural shelter for the crops. From Staples Street north to the mouth of the Motueka R iver was an area tūpuna used to gather pin gao for weaving. Established gardens were associated with blocks on higher ground. Traditionally, the Motueka River and its tributaries were full of tuna, kōkopu and īnanga. The Motueka headwaters can be linked to the legend of Ngahue and Poutini. This pūrākau is significant as it illustrates that from the very earliest times, tribes from all over the country knew of the precious resources to be found in Te Tau Ihu. Ngahue was the atua (guardian) of pounamu (greenstone). He and his taniwha Poutini (a giant sea monster) were the guardians of this taonga. A dispute between Ngahue and his adversary Hine-tu- ahoanga entangled their taniwha. Poutini was driven out of Hawaiki by Whatipu (Hin e-tu-ahoanga’s taniwha) and pursued to different places around New Zealand. One place Poutini found temporary refuge was at the eastern headwaters of the Motuek a River. In the upper Motueka River Valley, clusters of argillite working areas and source sites indicate the importance of this stone to tūpuna. Buried boulders, hammer stones and adzes found in the river valley illustrate the traditional stone working techniques. The Motueka River Valley provided a natural inland pathway or Ara to reach Te Tai Poutini. This pathway was a traditional greenstone trail, used by tūpuna in search of this valuable taonga and other items for trade. The route followed the Motueka River Valley before connecting with the Wairau and Waimea / Wai-iti routes, ahead of Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa. Waka were used to negotiate the waterways. The Motueka River has many traditional tauranga waka (landing sites) and camp sites, which were used for fishing along its banks. Te Tau Ihu Statutory Acknowledgements Page 92 of 163