Ngā Ara Tipuna
Ngā Ara Tipuna is a digital storytelling trail through ancient pā and wetlands bringing to life the stories of Tamatea Central Hawke’s Bay. It combines traditional design elements with contemporary materials and technology at sites of cultural and natural significance in and around Waipukurau and Takapau, Central Hawke’s Bay.
A self-guided driving tour and smartphone app share the stories unique to the people of Tamatea and their relationship with the land going back centuries.
Artwork and historical reconstructions amidst the region’s stunning views bring 7 historic pā sites to life, reinstating the place of mana whenua on the landscape.
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Authentic collaboration
Learn how Ngā Ara Tipuna helps strengthen relationships between local Māori, council and government.
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Recovering our stories
Learn how Ngā Ara Tipuna hopes to re-establish Tamatea Central Hawke’s Bay’s Māori identity.
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What thriving looks like
Learn how Kānoa’s support contributes to a proud and prosperous Tamatea Central Hawke’s Bay.
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Our legacy
Discover how Ngā Ara Tipuna hopes to create a sense of place for rangatihi in Tamatea Central Hawke’s Bay.
Ngā Ara Tipuna received a grant of $2.9 million from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) administered by Kānoa - Regional Economic Developemnt and Investment Unit, adding to more than $1 million in funding from council, community trusts and other groups. Officially opening in June, 2022 it was then named Supreme Winner at the inaugural Hawke’s Bay Heritage Awards in November 2022.
Brian Morris (Ngāti Mārau, Ngāi Te Rangitotohu), Cultural Lead for Ngā Ara Tipuna outlined the ancient pā and the stories of the region have been right under everyones’ noses, “but it's taken something like this to be able to share it in a way that people find it interesting, and that people find of value.”
Dr Roger Maaka (Ngāi Tahu ki Tamatea) shared that many of the regions stories over the years have been all but lost, “a number of us have spent many years trying to recover these stories. And now we can tell them in a way that the younger generations can understand them and remember them and treasure them.”
Central Hawke’s Bay has a growing tourism industry, and Ngā Ara Tipuna is expected to contribute to a 10% lift in tourism product offerings in the region. The vision of this project is about being proud and prosperous, with Alex Walker, Central Hawke’s Bay District Mayor reinforcing its achievement as “this project absolutely epitomizes what being proud and prosperous can look like in Central Hawke's Bay.”
Ngā Ara Tipuna is a partnership between Tamatea Hapū, Te Taiwhenua o Tamatea, Central Hawke’s Bay District Council and Locales.
There is no charge to participate in this storytelling trail. Find out more or take a virtual tour at Ngā Ara Tipuna
Watch the videos above and learn how Kānoa helped bring this project to life, and what it means to the council, iwi, hapū, and kura (schools) of Tamatea Central Hawke’s Bay.