DEVELOPING ANCESTRAL LANDSCAPES: THE INTERFACE BETWEEN DEVELOPERS AND TANGATA WHENUA Te Marino Lenihan* Oral histories1 tell us that when the earliest While that feeling still exists amongst many forays of Ngai Tahu moved south into Te who were brought up with those values, the Wai (the ), an difficulties that previous Pegasus Town encounter along the Kaikoura coastline left developers encountered have largely been one of Tuahuriri’s sons (Tu-rakau-tahi) recognised by the present developers gravely wounded. His men took him south (Infinity Investment Group Ltd and to a Waitaha/Ngati Mamoe settlement which Brookfield Multiplex Ltd) working closely was known as Te Kohanga o Kaikai-a-Waro with local hapuu and representatives (Te and which is where the Pegasus Town Runanga o Ngai Tuahuriri and Te Runanga o development is taking shape today. It was Ngai Tahu). The challenge has been how here that Tu-rakau-tahi was nursed back to best to recognise and provide for the health, and it was here where he and his ancestral relationship that this landscape relations ultimately chose to establish Ngai holds for local Maori, and the key factor in Tahu’s foothold on the south island. Named determining the solutions has been to ‘cut a but known also as Te Paa o Tu- new path’ in terms of establishing and rakau-tahi, this came to be the centre for all maintaining a good working relationship corners of Ngai Tahu whanui to meet and between the parties. This has lead to a trade, and in time it protected the largest number of processes and design elements pounamu (greenstone) industrial site in the that ultimately add value to the country. development and enrich the wider North Canterbury community. Together, No doubt access and security were key representatives of Hapuu, Iwi and considerations that led to Tu-rakau-tahi’s Developers have all taken the view that decision to establish a paa within the Maori heritage is a unique treasure of this expansive Canterbury wetlands. Not only did country, and the more we recognize and the deep water channels around Kaiapoi celebrate it, the stronger we will be as a provide a ‘moat’ like protection, those nation. waterways also provided access to key mahinga kai resources (e.g. Lakes Waihora/ In navigating the myriad of issues presented Ellesmere and Wairewa/Forsyth) and opened by the development of a tribally significant up inland pathways to the forest resources ancestral landscape, it has helped to keep of the foothills (Te Hororoa) and over the the ‘big picture’ in mind: that is to say, try Southern Alp passes to the rich deposits of always to see the wood from the trees. To pounamu on the west coast. that end it was important to have two things; a ‘map’ that set out a clear kaupapa In short, Kaiapoi Paa is a principal landmark (foundation, underlining philosophy or on this country’s heritage landscape. In its objective) which related to, and benefited, prime, it became famed throughout the land all parties involved in the relationship, and for its pounamu industry, attracting the someone to steer the parties towards that attentions of those who wished to trade as goal. In the case of Pegasus Town, that well as those who coveted its riches. Kaiapoi kaupapa was the balanced protection and Paa eventually fell in the early 1830s at the celebration of this landscape’s natural and hands of Te Rauparaha and his allies, and cultural heritage, and negotiations between the resulting bloodshed from that slaughter the Developer and Iwi/Hapuu rendered the landscape tapu. Local Maaori representatives led to the employment of a have been particularly sensitive about the full time, dedicated cultural advisor/runanga site ever since, therefore, which in turn led liaison officer. to significant ill feeling and opposition when it was proposed to develop it into Pegasus In terms of providing for that kaupapa, a Town, a home for 5000-7000 new residents. number of initiatives were agreed to in ongoing discussions between the Developer and Runanga representatives. These 1 It should be noted that there will always be various versions include: the establishment of a paa of historical events as there is always more than one side of a harakeke (flax reservation) within a wider story to tell. The account given in this article is but one restored wetland environment; the version of the establishment of Kaiapoi Paa as recalled by development of a whare taonga (house of Teone Taare Tikao (Tikao Talks: Traditions and tales told by treasures) to celebrate the archaeological Teone Taare Tikao to Herries Beattie, Reed 1939) and and cultural materials uncovered during the recounted by Athol Anderson (The Welcome of Strangers, development; the restoration of historic University of Otago Press 1998).

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY PLANNING REVIEW VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1, JANUARY 2009 PAGE 6 waterways that will in time hopefully provide Key factors to the success of these a better habitat for mahinga kai to re- relationships so far has been a combination establish themselves; the preservation and of the following: celebration of key archaeological features (e.g. an ancient pa site); and on-site • Acting reasonably and fairly at all interpretation that incorporate times contemporary as well as traditional forms • Being clear where you stand and (e.g. pou whenua/carved posts which tell establishing a clear understanding particular stories and act as land markers). with other parties To help provide for and maintain these • Open and inclusive communication initiatives, and in order to protect any (be honest and consistent) known or unknown waahi tapu and/or waahi taonga uncovered during the development, • Building relationships at all levels: it was important to put in place robust Chief to Chief – Co-worker to Co- processes and protocols at the outset so worker that all parties were informed and • Robust Protocols & Support comfortable with how best to respond or act Structures in any given situation. For example, an Accidental Discovery Protocol was developed • Not picking winners or choosing in order to proceed appropriately when sides, looking instead for shared koiwi/human remains were uncovered. Of benefit and ‘win-win’ outcomes most significance perhaps, has been the • Taking the time (where time is financing of a full time archaeological allowed) to work things out operation since July 2005 that has essentially cleared the way for the • Seeing the wood from the trees development to unfold. Whilst the thought In conclusion, when looking to develop of people digging up ancestral remains and ancestral landscapes it is important to artefacts does not generally find favour with consider who initiates it and why? What are our people, it has nevertheless helped the costs and benefits? And, perhaps most uncover and conserve aspects of this land’s importantly, what is the process that allows heritage that may otherwise have been those affected by such decisions to destroyed and lost forever pursuant to the participate in discussing these questions and development. Indeed, in recognition of the owning the answers? Every situation will no complexity and sensitivity of such a process, doubt be different and will require its own the Developers agreed to employ a number solutions and answers. The experiences of of Cultural Monitors to assist the Developers and local Maori associated with Archaeologists in the field. Numbering as the Pegasus Town development can many as 12 at one stage, their role was not hopefully provide some light on the only to monitor earthworks and excavate challenges and issues that arise from such archaeological sites, but they were also able projects, and perhaps even offer some to advise the Archaeologist immediately if pathways in terms of how to respond. One any relevant tikanga/protocol needed to be thing is for sure, however, and that is that followed or had been transgressed. development will always occur, for that is the nature of our human kind. Buffer zones and conservation management areas were promoted and employed to In terms of the development of New protect areas of known significance, and Zealand’s future built heritage (cities, mechanisms such as reserves and waahi bridges, ports, public amenities, etc.), Maori tapu registrations through the Historic values and interests now have more Places Trust are currently being considered. influence arguably than at any time since Restored wetlands and the highest the signing of the , standards of storm water treatment and particularly in relation to ancestral disposal have been used to help enhance to landscapes which have tended to be built local natural environment, as well as the over and forgotten (c.f. Kaikanui Paa site in enhancement of historic waterway systems the modern day township of Kaiapoi). While and the development of new water features. this influence is not necessarily welcomed by Ongoing monitoring of such initiatives, developers for fear of the potential management plans and appropriate associated costs, it is hoped that examples management structures are also important like Pegasus Town can illustrate that mutual tools to provide for the ongoing protection of benefits can be achieved through such these waahi tapu and wahi taonga into the endeavours, and that practical and future. appropriate recognition and provision of our nation’s pre-European heritage can actually

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY PLANNING REVIEW VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1, JANUARY 2009 PAGE 7 add value to such projects both Whatu ngarongaro te tangata, toi tuu te economically and socially. The development whenua. of our future can not be driven by money People come and go, what remains is the alone. Rather, the long term viability of our world we leave for those that follow. nation will be built upon development in harmony with the land and its people. *Te Marino Lenihan is Cultural Advisor for Pegasus Township Ltd and Lincoln University Lecturer for MAST 603, Mana Kaitiaki (Maori Resource Management)

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