Tangonge
Tangonge was once a wetland system adjacent to the Awanui River which provided abundant food resources and was one of the largest swamp gardens in the country covering an area of about 15 km2. The area was used for both aquatic and dry crops, and there was a wide range of water fowl and a diverse freshwater fishery. The area supported large numbers of Te Rarawa people in former times. There is evidence in oral histories of the water levels being managed to provide land for gardens. In the early part of the twentieth century the whole area was drained to make way for farming. The Tangonge Lake bed (280 ha, 701 acres) which is dry for much of the year is still owned by Te Rarawa whānau as well as an Iwi interest alongside Te Aupōuri.
Pukepoto whānau still own some of the lands on the south side of Tangonge but much of the land to the north, west and east is currently owned by the Crown. As part of the settlement process a number of pieces of Crown land are being returned to Te Rarawa, in some cases shared with Ngāi Takoto. Sweetwater farm land to be returned to Te Rarawa also borders this important ecological area. In total 183 ha (458 acres) of land will be retuned as cultural redress and 600 ha (1,500 acres) as part of commercial redress. Combined with the land already owned by Iwi and whānau this will provide an area of over 460 ha (1,150 acres) post-settlement which is suitable for environmental restoration. |
Ka pūpuhi te hau, ka tangonge noa
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Upcoming Hui / Event:
Nov 2013 (date tbc) Te Rarawa Marae, Pukepoto Local schools wananga; history, species, monitoring, preparation for school research projects |
