Kia ora koutou katoa. He mihi nui he mihi aroha ki ngā whānau whānui o Kāi Tahu. In mid-January nine rangatahi and 10 adults got together for a Rangatahi Tumeke camp on Rakiura (Stewart Island). Some of our regular kaimahi were unable to make the camp and their presence was missed. Ka aroha whānau.
The journey began at Bluff when everyone caught the Foveaux Express to Halfmoon Bay. They then boarded Phillip Smiths’ boat (Wildfire). Phillip guided us to Bravo Island, where we were lucky enough to stay overnight and capture something of this stunning place. Bravo has some of the oldest archaeological sites in Aotearoa. Phillip and his crew were just awesome and we were all very humbled to have had this experience. It’s one we will cherish forever.
As we steamed towards Bravo Island we caught blue cod, trumpeter, terakihi and dog fish, which we dined on for dinner. We were also treated with a visit to Ulva Island, a sanctuary for our native birds, where kākā are abundant. In the evening we investigated some of the island then sat around a campfire, played cards and entertained some young bull sea lions later in the night.
The following day, we travelled to the Neck, a very significant place for many of us as some of our tūpuna were at this beautiful place. Phillip guided us onto the Neck and gave us some brilliant history of the place. We then steamed around to Port William and as the wharf was under repair, we had to unload the boat and take a dingy to shore – which was enjoyed by the rangatahi. After a heartfelt thank you to Phillip and his crew, they steamed away back to Half Moon Bay and left us at Port William. This is another beautiful place that holds lots of history and stories for Rakiura Māori.
After tents were pitched the kai was prepared for a big hākari with some local pāua gathered by the whānau. A Department of Conservation hut warden gave us a brief talk about the place and the hut policies. We were all a little tired so after some chatter, a game of spotlight and more cards, we hit the sleeping bags to muster up all our energy for our hīkoi out to Half Moon Bay the next day.
The next morning, geared up with backpack, insect repellent, sunblock, lunch and water bottles, we set out on a reasonable sized climb – just to warm us up in the 23-degree day.
Our first stop was Māori Beach (more stunning views) where we had lunch and wondered what we had got ourselves into. As it turned out, everyone did remarkably well, with no complaints or moans on any part of the journey. Magical views of the coastline under the umbrella of the cool Ngahere. We arrived at the Bay at 4.40pm and it was icecream for everyone before we caught the ferry back to Bluff at 6pm.
We sat on the foreshore and yarned about the three days in paradise. Many did not want to go back to reality. Many talked about their chance to retrace the footsteps of their tūpuna. Their memories shall live on in these rangatahi for years to come. Many thanks to Awarua Rūnanga and the Ngāi Tahu Fund for making these journeys possible. Tēnei te mihi atu ki a koutou katoa.
Thanks Steph.
Ataahua and mum, Stevie-Rae Blair with their fishing spoils.
Top to bottom, Penny Leith, tamariki, Stevie-Rae Blair and Steph Blair.
Members of the camp strolling along one of the lovely beaches on Rakiura.
The Rangatahi Tumeke group photo of tamariki and kaimahi on their last day on Rakiura.
