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On Friday 12th April members of Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa Trust and Te Atiawa Iwi Charitable Trust lead the symbolic transfer ceremony of Aotere Pā from the former Ravensdown industrial site to the hapū of Ngāti Tāwhirikura.
The ceremony commenced with karanga. Followed by karakia, the congregation descended upon the site circling a small clearing on Aotere Pā. The transfer of the pā site was consecrated with a tewhatewha being staked into the ground symbolising the reclamation of the piece of land to the hapū of Tāwhirikura.
Coordinated by Ngāmata Skipper of Ngāti Tāwhirikura, all hapū of Te Atiawa were invited to share in the ceremony.
Also in attendance were local dignitaries, businessman, NPDC Councillors and the Mayor of New Plymouth Neil Holdom.
Ravensdown project manager Graham Eskdale expressed his gratitude towards the members of Tāwhirikura who made the ceremony possible.
In recent times the Ravensdown site was sold to developers Bluehaven, who plan to develop a multi-million dollar retail centre on site. Bluehaven Chief Executive Nathan York who was also in attendance and shared his excitement with the gathering about working with Tāwhirikura and local authorities in the near future.
Acknowledgements were made by Kura Denness on behalf of Ngāti Rāhiri, Patsy Bodger of Manukorihi, Trenton Martin of Ngāti Te Whiti, Liana Poutu on behalf of the Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa and Puketapu, and Glen Skipper of Tāwhirikura.
Another positive hapū activity advancing the aspirations of its people.
Related Link – Visit the stuff.co.nz website to read more about the ceremony –
