Waitaha Cosmology

Why does Waitaha share this information at this point in history?

The Trail of Understanding

“We are Waitaha…”

Until now we have hidden our beginnings, and all that followed, in the shadows. In this way we protected our knowledge in the silence of the Whare Wananga, the School of Learning of Waitaha.

Tuatara, the Keeper of Knowledge, guards the trails to the realms of the mind and spirit that give us life. We lead you past Tuatara, our ever vigilant kaitiaki, and invite you to share the words and wisdom of our ancestors. For it has been decided it is time for our treasures to be brought into the light.

We do this for the children, and their children, and all who call this land home.

With these words we begin to tell for the first time Histories of the peoples of the Nation of Waitaha. Once we were like the sands upon the beaches, a great multitude who knew these shores. Now we are few, but we take courage from the taonga (treasure) we still hold, because we have kept intact the most ancient songs of the ancestors.

Waitaha is older than old. Much of the history of this land is our history. We kept safe the knowledge of the Tides of Life that flow from Marama, the Moon. 

Our Star Walkers joined the stars to the land. Our Water Seekers explored the rivers and tested their waters, and the remotest mountains knew the tread of their feet. Our Water Carriers planted vines to clothe the nakedness of Papatuanuku. Our Stone Shapers brought Pounamu to the peoples of this land and others beyond the distant horizons. Our Sea Gardeners nurtured the many children of Tangaroa.

We are of Tane Mahuta and we follow Rongo Marae Roa, the God of Peace.

~

Reference: 

Volume One: Song of Waitaha. The Histories of a Nation. Page 10-11.

Dedication Page: written by te Uri Te Pani Manawatu. Tuahiwi, 1989. The teachings of six men, one of whom was the grandfather of Raymond Tekorako Ruka. His name: Wiremu Ruka Te Korako. Blessed be his name and lineage.