Bradshaw, D.; Rogers, K.M.; McLeod, O. 2022 Understanding the unique environmental attributes and biological materials of Kawhia – Aotea South. Lower Hutt, N.Z.: GNS Science. GNS Science miscellaneous series 141. 38 p.; doi: 10.21420/5DTD-PT09
Abstract
The Tainui and Aotea waka arrived almost 1000 years ago from Hawaiki, sailing into two harbours at Kaawhia and Aotea, on the west coast of the North Island, New Zealand. These earliest settlers left a legacy of physical evidence from their activities in this region, as well as oral stories, waiata and traditions. During 2020, a project funded by MacDiarmid Institute was undertaken to investigate the material science and geochemical properties of geological taonga held in the Kaawhia museum. This report provides the rich culture and heritage context and historical background of the Kaawhia moana associated with the taonga, as told by Diane Bradshaw, a descendant of Ngaati Te Wehi and kaitiaki of the North Aotea block (auth
