On 17 January, we loaded up a bus in Hokitika in preparation for an adventure in whakapapa, history and stories, tipi-haere-style to travel to significant sites in our rohe. Following a history backgrounder and morning tea in Hokitika, it was all aboard for a ride down State Highway 6 to the shores of Matahi (Lake Ianthe) for lunch and a stretch.
Next stop was Ōkārito where we stayed at the fabulous Royal Hostel, an old school house. Everyone seemed to enjoy the history and feel of this kāinga tūturu. A meeting and informal get-together with the Ōkārito community later that evening over a shared meal in the historic Donovan’s Store was an excellent way to end the day.
Saturday dawned calm and sunny – ideal weather for the next leg of our hīkoi, to Makaawhio – with our first stop planned for Waikohai (Gillespies Beach). If you haven’t been to Waikohai before, it’s worth the trip, just for the view of Kā Tiritiri o te Moana and kā mauka tīpuna. The narrow metal road and campervans created a bit of excitement on the way back out, but thanks to an excellent driver, we safely made it back to State Highway 6.
At Makaawhio we had planned a picnic in the pā at the Old Pā but instead were taken by jet boat straight around to Taheke-a-kai. We enjoyed a packed lunch at the mouth of the Makaawhio River before strolling a short way down the beach and up to the ancient urupā.
After a jet ride back across the Makaawhio, followed by a customary walk on the riverbed, we returned to our marae for a rest. Kai, stories inside our beautiful whare tipuna and a bonfire and marshmallows across the road on Māori Beach for our tamariki was a perfect way to end another wonderful day.
Unfortunately Sunday’s weather turned showery and we had a miserable, wet day. However, we continued our hīkoi south to Awarua (Haast), with stops along the way to explore Knights Point, Ngā Motu Taumaka (Open Bay Islands), Waitoto and Arawhata. We went right to the end of the road, at Ōkahu (Jackson Bay). We warmed up over lunch at Helen Rasmussen’s Grumpy Cow Cafe in Haast, before we followed State Highway 6 all the way back to Hokitika.
Thank you to participants, organisers and kaitautoko, who together made our hīkoi whakapapa such a success. Planning now starts for our next hīkoi.
Paul Madgwick sets the scene before we head south.
Whānau sit with Ōkārito community members while speeches take place at Donovan’s Store (built in 1865).
Lunch break at beautiful Matahi (Lake Ianthe).
Whānau gather at entrance to our urupā at Taheke-a-kai.
Whānau on the way back from Waikohai (Gillespies Beach), with a magnificent view of Te Moenga o Tūawe (Fox Glacier) and Horokoau (Mt Tasman) behind.