As a side note: It’s probably worth mentioning to better understand the angle Zaelene is coming from – She disagrees with what colonialists have done to her people (Ngai Tai Ki Tamaki) and her people’s land. https://g.co/kgs/JVrCUG

“History lesson – These are the ancient tribal lands of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki…lands that were stolen by the Crown and wouldn’t give back, theft & murder without a prison sentence…”
(Comment left for Home Bay, Motutapu island by Zaelene Maxwell-Butler)

She has advised that the entire area past the waterfalls is also wahi tapu (this would effectively include the Hydro-parcel outside of the reserve and the private pastoral land that surrounds this). At the moment, have not been able to discovered any other information pertaining to the history of the area nor confirm where the burials outside of the reserve might actually exist and to what extent geographically.

Have nevertheless updated this post to suggest avoiding going past the top of the falls as a matter of cultural respect.

That said, while I thank Zaelene for bringing her thoughts to my attention, I have suggested in my earlier Email communication to her that without visible signage anywhere to educate and inform the public, it is not reasonable to expect the ordinary public to know and understand the pre-existing path there ultimately leads into an area that is deemed as wahi tapu. Communication is key and would go a long way to foster understanding particularly when trying to bring awareness of cultural matters such as these and of Maori Tikanga (as it pertains to the Maori World view) to the general public.

Had attempted to reach out to Zaelene Maxwell-Butler twice via Email to understand and learn more (including to apologize for any offense caused) but have yet to have the courtesy of a response.

The “bush bash” referred to was further downstream in an untitled hydro parcel surrounded by private pastoral land and well outside the reserve itself.

Went back to revisit Te Maketu reserve upon reading Zaelene Maxwell-Butler’s comment, but noticed there was no signage or informational panels at all there. Only the brochure mentions the reserves themselves as wahi tapu but not of any other areas within the vicinity

This is not to say that following an existing path / navigating into that hydro parcel was “right” (culturally or otherwise) nor that the hydro parcel isn’t also deemed wahi tapu. But haven’t been able to discover any other information about the Te Maketu area and surrounds apart from a 20 year old ARC brochure that may or may not be written with consideration to the perspectives of tangata whenua.

With that said, I would have certainly appreciated should anyone who effectively enters into another’s personal online whare (home) to lay suggestions of wrong doing to at least have the courtesy to engage in korero / conversation in order to be able to learn more. (It is with note that Zaelene her self has mentioned “would appreciate people to learn”).

???

Replied to via Email 🙂

With thanks
Gina Chaney
Trustee
Puemokemoke

Cheers Pete 🙂