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| On Sunday 17
March 1996, three sperm whales were stranded on the beach
at Paekakariki. In the days that followed, they were to
become a catalyst for change among the Ngati Haumia,
Ngati Toa and Te Ati Awa Whakarongotai people. The whales
were named Haumia Te Wai, Ruatau and Wainui. The
jawbones, teeth and oil from these whales were recovered
and a year later were brought to Takapuwahia Marae. The excellence of that recovery was celebrated and shared with other iwi at a conference that discussed the implications of the " Cultural Harvest of Stranded Whales ". The interest in whalebone recovery has escalated in the last two years. Already Ngati Haumia, Ngati Mahaki, Ngati Wai, Ngati Mutunga, Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Toa, Te Ati Awa ki Whakarongotai, Ngati Kahungunu and others have successfully reconnected with an ancient process of whalebone recovery that is now able to use modern tools. This interest has been affected by a variety of government and non-government agencies as well as a plethora of legislation. Health and Safety factors, the value of increased knowledge, the question of ownership and kaitiakitanga, the use of whalemeat for eating and the roles of the various agencies are all issues that will continue to be vigorously discussed. What is the use of whalebone ? Traditionally which whalebone was sought and for what purpose ? Is the sperm whale ( Paraoa ) the only whale that has given us the teeth, the hoeroa and the patu ? What is the tikanga ? Ngati Haumia, Ngati Toa, Te Ati Awa ki Whakarongotai |
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| Whale Bones, Oil and Kumete as they were on display when they first arrived at the museum. |
