15/06/2026
Maumahara Mane | Remembering Matauri
In March 2015, claimants and kaumātua of Matauri hosted Waitangi Tribunal researcher Anthony Patete for a special two-day visit to the whenua and moana of Matauri.
The visit began at Te Tāpui Marae, where kaumātua and whānau shared their understanding of Matauri—not simply as one piece of land, but as the whenua, the coastline, Motukawanui and the surrounding islands, stretching inland to Whakarara.
As Whaea Mere Apiata explained:
“The sea, the islands and the mainland are all one.”
Whānau recalled childhoods spent on the whenua and along the coast, gathering the fruits of Tangaroa and living according to knowledge passed down through generations.
They also spoke of loss.
With the loss of land came the loss of people, as many whānau were forced to leave Matauri and never returned. Stories were shared of hardship, fear, land alienation and the heavy burden of local authority rates. Some whānau worked several jobs and organised fundraising efforts simply to protect their whenua from being taken.
Kōrero was also shared about the Native Land Court, the Papatupu Committee, the Māori Land Board and the decisions that separated people from their customary lands. Whānau described feeling excluded from decisions made by government agencies and local authorities about whenua their tūpuna had known intimately for centuries.
The mamae remained deeply felt.
On the second day, the rōpū travelled by boat from Putataua along the coastline and across to Motukawanui. Along the way, ancient and more recent kōrero was shared about the relationships between the mainland, the islands, the moana and the people.
Reefs, fishing grounds and places of significance were identified. Whānau spoke of customary fishing rights, the impact of quota systems, changes to the environment and the decline of kaimoana and other tamariki of Tangaroa.
As Whaea Iwa Alker said:
“Who knew better than us? We never took more than we needed, but sometimes, especially for big hui, you need more.”
This visit was more than a research exercise. It was an opportunity for the people of Matauri to place their histories, experiences and aspirations firmly on the record.
Today, we remember those who shared their kōrero, those who carried the mamae, and those who continued to stand for the whenua and moana of Matauri.
He mihi nui ki a Millie Takimoana, Sue Vea, Iwa Alker, Audrey Leslie, Emily Cressell, Kawe Rapata, Hemirua Rapata, Dover Samuels, Ruiha Collier, Popi Tahere, Harata Toms, Toka William and Waiunupō Komene.
A special mihi to Te Tāpui Marae for the manaakitanga extended to the rōpū.
Kia maumahara tonu tātou ki ngā kōrero, ki te whenua, ki te moana, me ngā tāngata o Matauri.
