My Connection to Pounamu (Greenstone)

Why this material is an important medium to me:

I was born in Mawhera (Greymouth) in 1993 to Iri Rose Barber and Tamaiharanui Te Riwai Sinclair, who are both descendents of Waewae, of who our hapu (subtribe) is name for.

Waewae was the son of Turakautahi, the founder of the largest Ngai Tahu settlement called Kaiapoihia Pa in the 1700's.

My mother is a descendant of Waewae's grandson Tuhuru, of which our Marae in Arahura is named.

(Here I am standing in the porch of Tuhuru marae in Jan 2017.)

Tuhuru grew up at Kaikanui with his grandfather Waewae. Tuhuru was a chief of Ngati Waewae who grew up during a turbulent time in Maori history of the South Island. He was a powerful warrior chief of huge stature, it was him who defeated Ngati Wairangi at Kotuku-whakaoho (Lake Brunner) at the turn of the 19th century. From there he commenced the conquest of the Te Tai Poutini (West Coast). Tuhuru worked his way down the coast, winning battles from Karamea, Whanganui Inlet, Kawatiri, Mawhera, Taramakau, Arahura, Hokitika, Okarito and Makawhio. The final defeat of Ngati Wairangi took place in the Paparoa Ranges.

Tuhuru and his people established a new pa at Mawhera and settled there, becoming known as Poutini Ngai Tahu.

My Father on the other hand is a descendant of Tuhuru's elder sister, the Matamua of the family, Moroiti.

I was very fortunate to grow up in my ancestral rohe (district, territory).

Spending my weekends whitebaiting with my father on the Taramakau River and searching for Pounamu on the Arahura River.

(Cousin Josh looking for pounamu on the Arahura, Jan 2017).

I was taught several narratives of my ancestors and pounamu was at the centre of several.

One story in particular includes my Mother's Great Great Great Grandmother Nihorere, the daughter of Tuhuru.

This is her story:

When she was a young woman Nihorere and her people were staying at one of their Summer camps at the confluence of the Hokitika and Kokatahi Rivers near present day Hokitika. The men were away hunting ducks at Lake Kaniere (in those days, when the ducks were molting they were easy game, big nets like fishing nets were cast over the flocks sitting on the water). Anyway, a group of Maori men came across the river - strangers armed with muskets. Our people had no guns. The people in the village were both the old and young. Women and girls.

Nihorere snuck out the back exit of the pa and ran at speed to her father and men at the lake (a hard run - uphill & several kms), who came back at once. Tuhuru and his men then called out from one side of the river enquiring who they were and whether they'd harmed anyone.

Te Niho answered that noone was hurt and that they came in peace. Tuhuru then told them to lay their weapons and they did.

The two chiefs agreed to walk to the middle of the river and hongi, which they did. At their feet they miraculously found a beautiful large pounamu boulder then named Kai Kanohi (Feast for the Eyes).

The mere pounamu first carved from the stone carries that name and still is in possession of the Wineera whanau from Porirua. Nihorere herself was actually gifted to Te Niho, who was a Ngati Rarua Chief and she is carved into the wharenui at Te Awhina Marae in Motueka.

Ko Tuhua te mauka

Ko Arahura te awa

Ko Tuhuru te tangata

Ko Poutini te taniwha

I must add though that that is my mothers story, my father believes Tuhuru was captured by the invading Ngati Toa forces and his life exchanged for the mere Kai Kanohi by his elder sister Moroiti who was a a fierce chieftaness.