In the Far North the people of Ngāi Takoto have named their inaugural walk around Lake Ngatu after the call of the shining cuckoo to herald in spring.
Ngāi takoto member Shane Jones says, “Perhaps the Pipiwharauroa has called the generations of descendants back to Ngatu. We're so happy that through initiatives like this we can address both the health of this environment and our people's physical well-being.”
It's a dual celebration of conservation week and healthily families in the Far North.
Iwi member Rangi Marsden, “We're here to acknowledge the coming of spring our anniversary in terms of ownership and just celebrating the community and our environment.”
Tai Tokerau MP Kelvin Davis says, “It's a beautiful initiative by Ngāi Takoto to celebrate the shining cuckoo heralding in spring. I'm just lucky to be here to celebrate it.”
A year has passed since the return of Lake Ngatu to Ngāi Takoto through the settlement of their Tiriti o Waitangi grievances. Tribal leaders feel it's time to give this younger generation the knowledge to manage the lake and open it up to the wider community.
“The lake was originally known as Waiparaha and Ngatu is the hill. As in the proverbial saying by our ancestor Tohe, Ngapae on the coast and Ngatu inland. Our elders would send us here to get kuta for weaving mats so we plan this as an annual event like the shining cuckoo who heralds the arrival of spring,” says Jones.
The key aim of today's initiative is the care of Lake Ngatu as a treasure for future generations. To the far north where the people of Ngati Tautoko have named their inaugural walk around lake Ngatu after the call of the shining cuckoo to herald in spring.