E HOKI KI TŌ MAUNGA

Kia ora tatou,

This is intended as a forum for planning journeys through our whenua reconnecting with our maunga, stories and traditions.

I'll start with a story from the maunga I live on Tauhinu Korokio or Mt Pleasant in Ōtautahi.

There are several trails along Horomaka or the Port Hills. Some have been closed following the 2011 earthquake and most have warnings to be aware of potential for rock fall. 

http://ccc.govt.nz/cityleisure/parkswalkways/popularparks/theporthills/index.aspx#jumplink2

Tauhinu Korokio is named after two native shrubs that were once plentiful there.

It was the site of a Ngāti Māmoe pā that was captured by a party of Ngāi Tahu led by the chief, Te Rakiwhakaputa, in the late seventeenth century.

At 499 metres, Tauhinu Korokio is the highest point of the eastern Horomaka and provides a commanding view in all directions. It was the perfect pā site, also boasting a plentiful firewood supply and spring water.

Later Ngāi Tahu grew kōrau and pōhata, which were root vegetables (turnips), on the hillside. They were dried in the sun and stored in rua or underground storehouses.