Pouawa Marine Reserve Boundary (East Coast)
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TE TAPUWAE O RONGOKAKO Marine Reserve
The footprint of Rongokako (Te tapuwae o Rongokako), an ancestor of East Coast tradition, is embedded in one of the rocky structures of the marine reserve, close to shore giving this Reserve its name.
The reserve lies on the East Coast of the North Island, approximately 16km north of Gisborne. It can be reached via State Highway 35, with public access at Pouawa. Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve protects a piece of the coastline of approximately 2450 hectares. The reserve is special in that it contains eight marine habitat types, including inshore reef, rocky intertidal platforms and sediment flats, that are representative of the marine area between East Cape and Mahia Peninsula.
The subtidal area of the reserve contains several distinct habitats. Down to about 10 metres in depth, a variety of seaweeds such as flapjack and kelp can be found and kina, marine snails, sponges and other animals are common. Some of the fish that you may see include spotties (paketi), banded wrasse (tangahangaha), red moki (nanua), hiwihiwi, butterfish (greenbone, marari), marblefish (kehe) and parore.
MAORI TIKANGA
Many traditions abound regarding Rongokako. There is general agreement that he was a man of immense athletic prowess and dexterity, a giant who could stride enormous distances. His origins are unclear. Some say he was the father of the famous Tamatea and came from Hawaiki in the Takitimu canoe. Others say he came in the Horouta canoe. Another version suggests that his arrival was as mysterious as his departure.
Local tradition suggests that Rongokako was sent by Kiwa to investigate the late arrival of the Horouta waka to Turanganui-a-Kiwa. On his arrival at Ohiwa, a disagreement arose between Rongokako and Paoa and they engaged in a titanic struggle. This culminated in a chase by Paoa of his fleet footed adversary down the East Coast shoreline.
Paoa was no match for him.
To help overtake Rongokako, he had set a large rat trap to snare the giant's pet, an enormous kiwi. The wily Rongokako sprang the trap which flew inland forming Mount Arowhana. The site of the trap became Tawhiti, an area of land between Te Puia and Tokomaru Bay.
In this epic encounter, Rongokako left footprints in the flat rocks as he strode down the eastern seaboard of the North Island. The first of these tapuwae (footprints) is at Wharekahika (Hick's Bay). The second is at Kaiora, south of Whangara mai tawhiti, from which is derived the name of this marine reserve, Te Tapuwae o Rongokako.
Rongokako then stepped over to Te Matau-a-Maui (Cape Kidnappers), then to the shores of Raukawa (Cook Strait). He crossed the Strait and was gone.
Kaiora, the settlement that overlooks the marine reserve, was a well populated papa kainga (village). The famous East Coast chief, Porourangi, lived here and is buried close by.
Konohi, the local chief, also inhabited the district. He had three sons Marukauiti, Te Riwai and Wahakapi, from whom the present tribe of Whangara mai tawhiti claim descent.
The cache is an eclipse tin.
There is a Maori cemetery in the vicinity. Although the cache is not on cemetery ground at all, if there is a tangi (funeral) going on, please do not hunt the cache so as not to disturb the funeral party. Wait until everything is finished. Don't try to access from the seaside as there is a steep drop.
PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN PEN AND REPLACE CAREFULLY THE SAME WAY YOU FOUND IT SO THE NEXT CACHER CAN GRAB IT.
THANK YOU
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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