October 07, 2015
Layers of history recognised at Treaty Grounds
The Treaty Grounds at Waitangi has become the first site designated a waahi tupuna by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.
Its kaihautu, Te Kenehi Teira, says the designation was created by its Maori Heritage Council to encompass properties which are significant to Maori but may not have the sacredness of wahi tapu in the traditional, spiritual, religious, ritual or mythological sense.
The new wahi tipuna runs from behind the Whare Runanga down to the Wharewaka and takes in the Treaty House and parade ground, as well as Maikuku’s Cave which runs underneath.
Mr Teira says it includes all the stories that relate to early Ngapuhi settlement right through to the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.
"What’s different about it is it has got layers of history and all those stories how they apply on the same place, rather than going straight to the Treaty of Waitangi signing or what’s most current today, the place where the first flag was selected by the chiefs who gathered at Waitangi before the signing of the Declaration of Independence," he says.
As with waahi tapu, Heritage New Zealand will help Maori communities and iwi get waahi tupuna on district plans so they can be protected.
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