June 08, 2021
Ancient tales of ice mountains uncovered
Carvings in marae at the top of the South Island have provided clues for a study which places Māori visitors in Antarctica a millennium ago.
The results of the project by researchers from Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu have been published in the latest Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand.
Dr Priscilla Wehi from Manaaki Whenua says the earliest indications of Polynesians on the ice came from traditional tales of Hui Te Rangiora and his waka Te Ivi o Atea, who is reported to have seen rocks that grow out of the sea, mountainous waves, frozen oceans, and strange sea creatures.
A tekoteko featuring Hui Te Rangiora sits atop the Ngāti Rārua meeting house Tūrangapeke, at Te Awhina marae in Motueka, gazing out in a perpetual search for new lands.
The paper says detailing historical and contemporary connections builds a platform for wider conversations about New Zealand relationships with Antarctica.
Copyright © 2021, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com