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| South Beach looking to Hauturu , Whenuakura and Maukaha Rocks 2010 - photo courtesy Chris Ball |
If I move
to a new town or new place one of the first things I do is look up the meaning
of the Maori word for that town or place. This gives a great understanding of
why a town or place is called that. The indigenous names for New Zealand
locations and place reflect a rich history of the past and people.
The
Whangamata Area is a stunning kaleidoscope of beaches, New Zealand indigenous
bush, flowering pohutukawa and the rich variation and strata of volcanic soils
and rock. The ancient stories of the area are associated with those landmarks
of this place which meets the shores of
the great Te moana nui a Kiwa (
the great ocean of Kiwa - Pacific Ocean).
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| From beach at Onemana looking toward Whakahau ( Slipper) Island - photo courtesy Chris Ball 2017 |
Over the years, many have written poems about Whangamata area, including this poem.
Whangamata Area
1. Rise and
Swell Rise and Swell
Running
in
Te moana
nui a Kiwa
Te one o
Whangamata,
Onemana , Opoutere
2. Long ago
in this area's
i ngā wā
ō mua
Can be
found in abundance
Relaxation,
fun and kaimoana.
3. And
growing in special place
Wharengāngara
o putiputi
Remind
us, one and all, of
Ko ngā
kōrero tuaukiuiki I puta
I aua tohu ngā tohu o te tuakiri o te tamaiti
This area
offers one and all,
Te hauora
wairua , Te hauora hinengaro,
Te hauora
tinana, Te taha whanau and more.
5. The
forest clad hills
And
shining sea
A taonga
of nature are there
For all
Kei Kite.
6. Plenty of
trees,
Insects
and bush
Moutere o
whanga
Along
with big tall cliffs.
7. Rise and
Swell
Rise and
Swell
Running
in
Te moana
nui a Kiwa
Te one o
Whangamata,
Onemana , Opoutere
Poem and Drawings by Anne Stewart Ball
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| Storm on Main Surf Beach Whangamata in 2001 - photo HM Stewart |
Te Reo Māori
Words and phrases
kaimoana seafood, shellfish
kite to see, perceive
moutere island
putiputi flower
Te hauora wairua spiritual health
Te hauora
hinengaro mental health
Te hauora
tinana physical health
Te Taha
Whanau family health
taonga treasure
wharengāngara New Zealand daphne, Pimelea prostrata
 |
| From Peninsula 2010 - photo courtesy Chris Ball |
Reference
Source:
- NEW ZEALAND GEOGRAPHIC BOARD, HE KORERO PÜRÄKAU MO NGÄ TAUNAHANAHATANGA A NGÄ TUPUNA PLACE NAMES OF THE ANCESTORS A MAORI ORAL HISTORY ATLAS
- Maori Dictionary https://maoridictionary.co.nz/
