This Pepeha has been shared with us by Ngaati Te Ata to help us understand the people and places significant to our local iwi.

He tino taonga teenei!

This is a treasure trove of history, stories and connections. It is our responsibility to take care of this koorero and let it guide our own learning and teaching. Other iwi will have different stories about these people and places. In our rohe (area) we should acknowledge the koorero of Ngaati Te Ata. 

The first two lines are a pepeha (tribal saying) in their own right: 

“Ka whiti te raa ki tua o Rehua, ka ara a Kaiwhare i te rua.”

Ngaati Te Ata are also known as Te Ruakaiwhare.