185 yrs since Te Tiriti; and our relationship to our land endures.

185 years ago, between 5–12 May 1840, Te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed by Rongowhakaata rangatira in Manutūkē at Taurangakoau – a pā nestled along the old riverbed that extends behind what is now the Manutūkē Post Office. This site, built by the ancestor Te Ikawhaingata, grandson of Kaipoho, stood as a beacon of leadership, resilience, and connection following the return of Ngāti Maru from Waiapu.

The signing of Te Tiriti by our tīpuna demonstrated the mana motuhake of Rongowhakaata people asserting our authority as kaitieki of our whenua. Despite the Crown effectively striping Rongowhakaata of their land - leaving us with minimal territory - our connection to our whenua remains.

The signing of Te Tiriti at Taurangakoau is not just a historical footnote. It is a moment that continues to shape our decisions today. It reminds us that sovereignty is not granted – it is asserted, and is continuously reimagined for each generation.

Ko Rukupō te haehae whenua, Ko Orakaiāpū te papatipu whenua, Ko Taurangakoau te whenua mana motuhake.
Ko te Tiriti o Waitangi, hei kaupapa Whakatō whenua.

Rukupō is the means to shape the land and Orakaiāpū our sanctuary. Taurangakoau retains the sovereign authority for the land. The Treaty of Waitangi ensures our relationship to our land is enduring.
— Ko Te Reo o Te Whenua

These powerful words from the waiata Ko Te Reo o Te Whenua are declarations of who we are. Rukupō, our tohunga whakairo, continues to influence how we shape ourselves and tell our stories. Orakaiāpū — once the most fortified pā in Tūranga and home to the whare whakairo Te Hau-ki-Tūranga— is more than a resting place – it is our sacred sanctuary where whakapapa lives. And Taurangakoau, our spiritual and political stronghold, remains a symbol that mana whenua is inherently ours.

Whakatō te maara a te Atua, hei kiko i te rangi, ko Manutūkē ki te whenua, ko Te Hau-ki-Tūranga, ko te reo o te whenua.

Our Eden, our divine connection to the blues of the heavens above and to Manutūkē below, to Te Hau-Ki-Tūranga the land expresses our insight.
— Ko Te Reo o Te Whenua

From the blue of the heaven to the roots of Manutūkē, our connection to place is unshakable. Te Hau-Ki-Tūranga, carved by Rukupō’s hand and spirit, stands as an expression of our insight, our relationship with the whenua, and the living voice of our identity.

As we acknowledge this moment in our history we look boldly to the horizon. Our long-term vision –He Tirohanga Whanui: Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust’s 100-year strategy continues to guide us on our journey. It is a generational commitment to vitality, healing, and transformation.

We affirm that all parts of the natural world are interconnected and move in cycles alongside people. Connection to our whenua, landmarks, waterways, and repo are vital—they nourish us both physically and spiritually. Our connection to the taiao is essential for growing spiritual, cultural, and economic abundance. This vision grounds us in the whenua and guides how we care for our people, our taonga, and our future.

Listen to the waiata below. Whakarongo mai and download the kupu.
Words by Taharakau Stewart, Music by Tama Waipara.

You can learn more about He Tirohanga Whanui:100-year strategy in our 2024 Annual report here

Ko Te Reo o Te Whenua preformed by Tū Te Manawa Maurea - Waiata Tira 2019 Credit_ Māori Television.