Nohoanga provide all Ngāi Tahu with an opportunity to experience the landscape as their tīpuna did, and to rekindle the traditional practices of gathering food and other natural resources.
The term ‘nohoanga’ (literally meaning a place to sit) traditionally refers to the seasonal occupation sites which were an integral part of the mobile lifestyle of Ngāi Tahu whānui as they moved around Te Waipounamu (the South Island) in pursuit of food and other natural resources.
This traditional concept has been given contemporary effect as a result of the Settlement of the Ngāi Tahu Claim through the allocation of specific ‘camping’ sites to support mahinga kai activities.
Under the Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998, nohoanga sites are specific areas of Crown owned land adjacent to lakeshores or riverbanks, which can be used to facilitate the gathering of food and other natural resources by Ngāi Tahu whānui. They are usually one hectare in size.
Ngāi Tahu whānui have temporary but exclusive rights to occupy these sites between the middle of August and the end of April each year.
There are 72 allocated nohoanga sites within Te Waipounamu. Not all of these sites are available for use. Please contact: 0800 NOHOANGA (0800 664 62642), [email protected];or visit our website: www.ngaitahu.iwi.nz for more information.
Procedure for use of nohoanga
Nohoanga are for the exclusive use of Ngäi Tahu whānui. For fairness and environmental reasons, the use of nohoanga sites is by authorisation only, and administered by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. See below for procedure for authorisation:
- Contact Sophie McGregor on: 0800 nohoanga (0800 664 62642) or [email protected] at least 10 working days before you wish to use a nohoanga site
- Provide basic details (name, address, contact numbers, vehicle registration number, and number of people you wish to take etc) NB – random checks will be done to ensure both those applying for authorisation are entitled to do so, and that past use has been onsistent with the conditions of the authorisation
- If the site is available you will be sent an authorisation (by post, fax or email) before you leave for the nohoanga site
- Return the authorisation back to us within 10 days (signed and with the relevant sections completed) following your departure from the nohoanga site.
Available for use – Lake Hawea – Timaru River (Timaru Creek)
Location and site description
This site is located on the eastern edge of Lake Hawea at Timaru River, 14km/20mins from the Lake Hawea township. The site is an excellent nohoanga site, with plenty of shelter and good camping sites. No markers or signage.
Vehicle access and parking
Access to the site may prove difficult for larger (wide) vehicles and caravans/campervans. The dirt road leading into the site is narrow and steep in some places. The public road to the site passes through farmland so stock may have access to the road.
Facilities and services
There is a public camping area adjoining the nohoanga site. A toilet (long drop) is located on the site and is available for public use. The toilet is not serviced on a regular basis, therefore, care should be taken to ensure that it remains in a clean and tidy condition. Toilet paper is not supplied. Nohoanga site users are required to provide their own water supplies and must take all rubbish away with them.
Site restrictions
- Subject to operating easement to Contact Energy
- Entitlement is subject to continued use in emergencies as a rural fire fighting base
- No dogs permitted during December and January
- Any other time of the year campers will be required to obtain and produce on demand a certificate certifying that any dog on site is free of all diseases
- Open fires may or may not be permitted, depending on the season. Please contact the Otago Rural Fires Authority or the Department of Conservation, Wānaka Area Office, to check whether a permit is required
- Note: by using the Lake Hawea – Timaru River (Timaru Creek) nohoanga site you are agreeing to these conditions.
Lake Hawea – Timaru River (Timaru Creek).
Available for use – Lake Hawea – Nohoanga 3 (Adj Camp Ground)
Location and site description
This site is located on the SW corner of Lake Hawea, adjacent to the Lake Hawea Motor Camp just outside of the Hawea township. This excellent nohoanga site is located on an embankment overlooking Lake Hawea.
The site is large, flat, well sheltered and located. next to the Lake Hawea camping ground, which is extremely popular particularly during the summer months.
Vehicle access and parking
Vehicle access onto the nohoanga site is good although there is a slight climb onto the site, which may prove difficult for large caravans or campervans. There is plenty of parking on site.
Facilities and services
A public toilet block is located next to the nohoanga site and is available for use.
Nohoanga site users are permitted to use the adjacent Lake Hawea Holiday Park facilities provided they approach the Camp Manager of the park and pay the standard fees ($6 casual fee per person per usage) for the use of the facilities. A dumping station is also available to empty caravan or campervan toilets at a cost.
If you are using these facilities you will need to indicate this when applying for an authorisation. If you intend to use the facilities you must approach the camp manager of the Lake Hawea Holiday Park and pay the standard fees applicable.
Facilities at the adjacent camp site will not be available for nohoanga site users to use over the busy Christmas and New Year period. If using the nohoanga site over this time users will need to provide their own toilet facilities and water.
Nohoanga site users may decide to bring their own facilities including portable toilets and personal water supply. If you are not using the campground facilities, extra care should be taken when disposing of grey water.
All rubbish and waste must be removed by users upon departure. See below for contact details of refuse and dumping stations. A boat ramp is located adjacent to the nohoanga site. The adjacent camping ground has a shop nohoanga users are welcome to purchase goods from and bikes users are welcome to hire.
Site restrictions
- Subject to operating easement to Contact Energy
- Dogs are not permitted on this nohoanga site
- Fires are not permitted on the site
- Nohoanga users are required to provide their own toilets and water over the Christmas/New Year period
- Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu will notify the Lake Hawea Holiday Park of all approved nohoanga users
- Note: by using the Lake Hawea (Adj Camp Ground) nohoanga site you are agreeing to these conditions.
Please contact: 0800 NOHOANGA (0800 664 62642), email: [email protected], or visit our website: www.ngaitahu.iwi.nz for more information about nohoanga.
Lake Hawea – Nohoanga 3 (Adj Camp Ground).