Discovering the stories of Tamatea
Coming 2021
Ngā Ara Tipuna is focused on six culturally significant sites in and around Waipukurau – celebrating and sharing stories of the people of Tamatea, Central Hawke’s Bay.
The cultural heritage and tourism project is being developed by hapū of Taiwhenua o Tamatea in conjunction with Central Hawke’s Bay District Council.
Combining traditional design elements with contemporary materials and processes, digital storytelling, and storyboards at the significant sites, Ngā Ara Tipuna will bring the history of the rohe and its people to life and help build shared understanding: Learnings from the past; appreciation for the present; hope for the future.
Ngā Ara Tipuna is on schedule to be completed in 2021.
The project is funded by: The Provincial Growth Fund; Heretaunga-Tamatea Settlement Trust; Eastern and Central Community Trust; Lottery Environment and Heritage Fund; Central Hawke’s Bay District Council.
Media Releases
Ngā Ara Tipuna milestone
30 June 2021
Ngā Ara Tipuna is reaching a huge milestone this week, with the beautifully crafted pieces that will bring the stories of Tamatea and its people to life being installed across seven historic sites. Te Taiwhenua o Tamatea chairman Dr Roger Maaka said Ngā Ara Tipuna will enable the history of Tamatea to be learned, understood and acknowledged, in a way that is unique in New Zealand. “As well as sharing knowledge with our wider population and bringing visitors to our rohe, it will enable us to make our history real for our rangatahi, so they can understand how it relates to them and where they are today, and give them a good grounding to become mentors for the next generation ".
Crafted metalwork bases for storyboards are appearing on Ngā Ara Tipuna historic sites.
Download the full media release PDF 2.2Mb
Ngā Ara Tipuna coming to life
6 May 2021
The harvesting of about 350 kānuka poles that will become an imposing 40-metre long palisade at a key Ngā Ara Tipuna site – Pukekaihau Pā – has begun.
Ngā Ara Tipuna, in Central Hawke’s Bay, celebrates the stories of the people of Tamatea, focused on six culturally significant sites in and around Waipukurau. The project, which marries the historic sites with hi-tech access to the stories of Tamatea, is on schedule to be completed mid-year. The free self-guided tour will bring the history of the rohe and its people to life.
With the major groundworks all but completed, the preparation of the final elements is now underway. At the same time as the work to source, cut and carry out the kānuka is carried out, the corten steel pou that will stand at the sites are being fashioned, and the last of the voices of the people recorded for the stories.
Harvest: Jono Clarke (front) and Taranaki (Boboy) Nepe Apatu-Borell carry out some of the first of about 350 kānuka poles for the palisade.