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May 31, 2018
Ngati Tu reclaim matauranga through tohora strandings
Waatea Team
Posted On May 31, 2018
South Taranaki hapu Ngati Tu is getting a crash course in traditional knowledge around whales as it deals with the stranding of 11 sperm whales at Ka upoko nui near Manaia.
Member Bonita Bingham says it’s a new experience for Ngati Tu, but with support from the Department of Conservation and the guidance of a team from Northland’s Ngati Wai under kaumatua Hori Parata a great deal of matauranga is being passed on.
They have been working in sometimes polar conditions on two whales near the mouth of the Kaupokonui River .
"That’s about moving past the stat of pouri and recognising the gifts and the intergenerational opportunities these taonga have given us in terms of utilising their bodies for future generations of Ngati Tu. Ngati Wai has been leading that kaupapa for us and we’ve got our own whanau members in there learning as they go and reclaiming that lost matauranga that our old people had but we haven’t," Ms Bingham says.
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