Thursday 18 January 2018

Whangamata Area on Coromandel's Eastern Seaboard

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.
 
No less so the Whangamata Area on Coromandel's Eastern Seaboard. The name of Whangamatā comes from the Māori words 'whanga', which means bay, and 'matā', to the obsidian  ( a hard stone) which washes up on the beach. The name "Opoutere" means "place of floating posts".  Onemana  one -  beach, sand, mana - authority over

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).

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




4. Just as in Kupe's time

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

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 
 https://www.linz.govt.nz/system/files_force/media/pages.../ancestors-full-book.pdf?.