Mauri ora: Last week the trustees and senior staff visited Te Waikoropupū during the start-of-year strategic hui. Te Waikoropupū Springs are a taonga and waahi tapu. The legends of Te Waikoropupū are told in the stories of Huriawa, its taniwha.The Springs are waiora, the purest form of water which is the wairua (spiritual) and the physical source of life.
Recently a group from the Ministry for Social Development came to Te Heke Whakangā, and this week a group of early childhood educators who were staying at Te Āwhina Marae were also given a guided tour.
Today holds profound significance for Ngāti Rārua as it marks the day in 1840 when our tūpuna Te Tana Pukekohatu signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi at Kakapo Bay, Te Whanganui (Port Underwood).