This term Kahikatea are learning about Raureka's Haerenga/ Journey. Some key information is shared below.

Ngāti Wairaki were the first iwi (tribe) to live on the West Coast.Te Tai Poutini is the Māori name for the West Coast meaning ‘The tides of Poutini’. Poutini is the taniwha who is guardian of pounamu. Poutini swims up and down the West Coast of the South Island/Te Waipounamu (The name for the South Island, meaning the greenstone waters) protecting both the people and the spiritual essence or mauri of pounamu.

The steep mountains of the Southern Alps/ Kā Tiritiri o te Moana and the wild oceans of the Tasman Sea meant that, for many years, Ngāti Wairaki were protected from other tribes. Here, they discovered pounamu in the rivers/awa that ran down from the mountains/maunga.

When Ngāi Tahu were expanding further into the South Island/Te Waipounamu, Ngāi Wairaki were forging new trails through the mountains/maunga.

A woman named Raureka became the first person to discover the mountain pass from Te Tai Poutini/ West Coast to the east coast after arguing with her Ngāti Wairaki whanauka (Relatives). Raureka (Meaning Sweat Leaf) was a chieftainess. She was born at a settlement by Lake Kaniere, near where Hokitika is today.

She ended up in what is known as the Canterbury Plains (Near Temuka) and stumbled across a group of Ngāi Tahu men building a canoe with a stone adze/Kōhatu toki. Surprised to see them using such an inferior tool, Raureka unwrapped her pounamu toki/ adze and she demonstrated the superiority of her pounamu toki.The group were amazed.

They implored Raureka to show them her route through the mountains. Raureka obliged, and the increasingly dominant Ngāi Tahu set their sights on the stone. Both Ngāti Wairai and Ngaī Tahu sought to claim kaitiakitanga (Guardianship) of pounamu. Eventually, Ngaī Tahu was successful and continue to be recognised as guardians of this taonga. Kaiapoi Pā, was one of the main trading and carving centres in the Ngāi Tahu network.