#mataatua

[lady-wildflower]

So, I just came across a post about Welsh place names and how they’re disrespected by English people and/or English-speaking people, and I didn’t wanna muss it up with my own thing but it reminded me of something.

Disclaimer! I am not Welsh! I am supposing based on my own comparisons as someone from a country which also has a somewhat marginalized language that got supplanted by English (Aotearoa/New Zealand). I’d actually love for Welsh Tumblr to chip in and let me know if I’m right or not!

So, to put a long story short, I was hanging in a Twitch chat with a streamer I’m friends with, I think we might be mutuals on here - if so, hi! Don’t worry, I’m not all bitter or anything, this just reminded me. And we got to talking about folkloric creatures, particularly faerie myths from Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. There are a bunch of cool ones! But of course, names from Scottish, Welsh, and Irish folklore don’t always translate well into English-speakers’ parsing of spelling, because much like the Scottish, Welsh, and Irish themselves, their languages did not fare well when the English arrived. So occasionally I gave my fellows in chat and my streamer friend an explanation of how they were pronounced, and the one in particular this reminded me of was the name of the Hounds of Annun.

Or, in Welsh, Cŵn Annwn.

The ŵ in Cŵn is pronounced not unlike the oo in English “soon,” and the w in Annwn is pronounced not unlike the u in English “put,” as I recall off the top of my head.

Now, my streamer friend, because she is not Welsh and may not have known that there are no soft Cs in Welsh, pronounced that as Sŵn Annwn. Which isn’t correct - it is Cŵn, not Sŵn, which in fact means “noise.” We weren’t talking about some kind of noise associated with Annwn (the Underworld, roughly), we were talking about the Cŵn Annwn, the Hounds - Cŵn is literally just Welsh for “dogs.” So I let her know in the chat that it’s a hard C.

The attentive of you may notice that Cŵn sounds not unlike a certain American racial slur deriving from the word “raccoon.”

So a fellow chat member, whom I shall not call out or name or shame or whatever because actually they were well-meaning though off the mark in my opinion, that it was better to say Sŵn, because all three of us in this interaction are white and Cŵn sounds like a racial slur against black people.

Except, and this is where I get into personal opinion which could do with an actual Welsh person to either back up or correct me, Cŵn just isn’t that racial slur. It is a word. It is the Welsh word for “dogs,” the singular of which is ci*. And to claim that it should not be spoken by ninety-six percent of Welsh people because they are white is in my opinion a well-meaning attempt to not be offensive which actually wraps around like an integer overflow into being more offensive. Because the word Cŵn has zero relation to the American-originating racial slur “coon.” It is to suggest that the Welsh people should stop speaking their own language correctly because some people speaking another language (which is particularly offensive when that language is ENGLISH, which has already taken enough shits all over Welsh historically) on another continent stole a piece of a third language (Powhatan) to identify an animal and then rebracketed part of that stolen word to be a racial slur, and that slur happened to sound like a completely unrelated word in Welsh.

It is like suggesting that the name Whakatane should never be used correctly because “fuck” is a swear word in English (context for non-kiwis, wh in latinized Māori is kinda an f sound). It is not a swear word in Māori - it is the name of a town in the Bay of Plenty whose name commemorates an incident which happened after the arrival of one of the Polynesian voyaging canoes which arrived there, the Mataatua, specifically it’s part of what the chieftainess Wairaka said on that occasion. It is like suggesting that the entire Spanish-speaking world should stop using their word for the colour black because that word is used as a racial slur by others. Cŵn is not a racial slur in Welsh. It is the word for dogs. To suggest that white people shouldn’t say Cŵn is to argue that 96% of Welsh people shouldn’t describe their own pets correctly if they have a dog, or indeed, shouldn’t describe their own folklore correctly in the case of the Cŵn Annwn. And for a nation with the saying cenedl hab iaith, cenedl heb galon, “a nation without a language is a nation without a heart,” I reckon that suggestion would be rather offensive. You shouldn’t mangle Welsh because of something the English-speaking do wrong.

tl;dr In my opinion when you deliberately speak another language incorrectly in an attempt to not say a word that sounds like a slur in your own, you’re well-meaning but you’re looping around to being more offensive to the language you’re supposed to be speaking. Welsh folks please feel free to chip in and either whack me over the head for presuming or back me up.

* Or gi, chi, or nghi.

[peterkurdulija]

Timeless Wairaka by Peter Kurdulija Via Flickr: Legend remains victorious in spite of history. Sarah Bernhardt

[thomasbct]

Week 2 - Discover

What exist -

Related Work / Studies / Discover / Decide 

Here we used the integrative practices Dereive methodology to discover similar initiatives. From here we case studied these projects to asses which features can be implemented into our design - this work was conducted in the VR paper as part of assignment 1, however, these explorations are also relevant for studio Learning outcomes 1.

Metia Interactive - Matariki VR Experience (Cross them over)

This experience uses VR technology to teach Matariki, similar to our project, we want to use immersive technologies for cultural storytelling (OMGTech, n.d.).

Guardian Maia

This game showcases and educates participants about sustainable indiginous intelligence through gamification (Reallusion, n.d.).

Journeys of Manu

This app showcases the seasonal sign of the maramataka also known as the Maori lunar calendar using augmented reality. It also features bilingual characters, subtitles, stories replayed at home, an AR coloring feature, and a Hidden mini-game. Which inspired and help us develop what we wanted to achieve (Journeys, n.d.)

Arataki Trail

This is a tech company using storytelling to share Maori stories to kids using tech. This related to our project on how we could share stories with the younger audiences both in entertainment and educational ways (Arataki, n.d.).

Audio Guide (Auckland museum - Queerseum)

Auckland Museum Queerseum audio guide to celebrating diversity and highlight queer stories. The voiceover guide helps us understand how to approach audiences using audio (Museum, n.d.).

Mataatua Marae Vr Story

A Modern VR experience telling the traditional Maori oral culture. This is similar to our project of telling a story related to the Maori oral culture (Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, 2020).

Mataatua Projection Light Show

A projection light show to share the ancient Maori traditions and rituals. We want to use this as an inspiration to help us connect with the user better while related to traditional Maori oral culture (Mataatua Te Mānuka Tūtahi, n.d.).

The Grandeur of spectra (Singapore Waterfront)

Beautiful outdoor light & water show using projectors, water, and light. This gives us an idea of how space, image, and sounds could affect the surrounding space (Marina Bay Sands Singapore, n.d.).

Gala of Lights (Hong Kong Ocean park)

Night-time 360 degrees water-based multimedia show created by award-wining multimedia studio Moment Factory. The light show allows us to understand how other studio showcase and projector their work to create this immersive experience (Ocean Park, 2020).

Lee Timutimu - Web-Based Nelson Marae Storytelling Project

In Discussion.

Accenture - They co-created a VR Marae exp with Kaumatua and rangatira fluet in Tikanga values. To educate their staff about the local indigenous people to create a better relationship to develop more user-centred designed I&D initiatives and to promote I&D in the Corporate spaces.

Their is a huge demand for digital resources in education, the curriculum update requires digital disciplines but lacks the digital tools.

[ashleighhunter16435600]

week 9 group work reading

Ani Mikaere's discussion of mana wāhine, and its relationship to western feminism, Māori Women: Caught in the Contradictions of Colonised Reality.

-Ashleigh

Leadership domain of men in Māori society exercised power of women. Greater significance given to male roles of women’s roles. Position of women in Maori society before colonisation.

Maori cosmology abounds stories of powerful women. Maui acquires fire from his kuia, mahuika. It is the jawbone of his kuia, Murirrange-whenua, that fishes up the North Island and makes the patu with which to the sun. fails quest to attain immortality.

Powerful indication no hierarchy of sexes lies in maori language, as pronouns are gender neutral. Importance of women symbolised by language and concepts expressed through proverbs. Rose pere wrote on association on positive concepts with females. ‘ women as whare tangata’ ( house of humanity.

Whenua – land and afterbirth

Hapu – Pregnant and large kinship group

 “He wahine, he whenua, e ngaro ai te tangata” interpreted as meaning “ by women and land man is lost”. This refers to nourishing roles women and land fulfil, without this humanity would be lost.

Papatuanuku (earthmother) key role instructing son Tanemahuta where to find human element and how to make Hine-ahu-one so humankind could be created.

Pere’s life full of positive women role models, elders setting example of women and men respecting and supporting each other working together.

Maori women not regarded as possessions retaining their own names upon marriage, children free to identify with kinship group of either parent. Dressed in similar garments to men and that conception not associated with sin or childbearing punishment seen as uplifting normal life.

Pere points out assault on women with possibility of resulting in death. Women and child abuse regarded as whanau concerns and actions that inevitably taken against culprit.

Whanau was a womens primary support system. Marriage did not take property from her father to spouse.

Maori was an oral culture transmitting knowledge of concepts and beliefs passed down today. Hapu and tupuna named after women. Wairaka saved Mataatua canoe from floating out to sea; Hinemoa swam across lake Rotorua to be with Tutanekai and Rongomai- whaine of the Hawkes Bay area. Women recorded vividly in oral histories; waiata reflects enduring power and influence.

 Status of women under English Law

 -          Head of family in control of household (father/ husband) “women and children were chattels to be used and abused by the paterfamilias as he chose”. As girls reached adulthood they switched from being property of their farther to husband. No rights to children.

-          The notion of illegitimacy and the law condemnation were reflective law principles whereby a women’s reproductive powers could be exercised in legal connection to man creating property (children) for him. Rape could not be perpetrated in NZ law by husband until 1985.

 Impact of introduced law Māori women

Missionaries and early settlers arriving in Aotearoa of west civilisation allowed no power to women at all being classed as less worthy than a man’s horse.

Retelling of maori cosmology led to shift away from powerful maori women influence in stories, exploits male demi god, made nearly invisible in process.

Tanemahuta became the main figure in story and Papatuanuku essential role silenced.

Maori women perceived as wives and children, or easy partners in sexual terms.

“Maori men were the ones with whom the colonisers negotiated, traded, and treatied.”

13 women signed treaty.

Maori cultures and economic base seized from them and ravaged by introduced diseases.

Destroyed collectivism which ran through maori society stated to be one of the twin aims of the Native Land Act which set Native Land court in 1865. Other aims being access to maori land for settlement.

Native land act 1909 declared maori customary marriages required to undergo legal marriage ceremonies

Missionaries refused to accommodate maori marriage as alternative for their nuclear family image and its demands on colonial wife lacking initiative and obedience to husband.

Maori women isolated caregivers dependant of husband. Some women expected to work outside as well as inside home. Economic hardship required them to contribute financially while Christian values about what was considered a good wife and mother compelled them to do this also.

Church school trained girls domestically for good wives in context to the nuclear family situation.

Boys to be good farmers and girls to be good farmers wives by director of education, 1931.

Principle of Hukarere described daily routine of girls to do domestic work.

Maori women today

Maori grievances of theft of land, suppression of culture, dishonouring treaty of Waitangi and, denial of economic and political self-determination focus of protests.

Māori women largely absent from bodies set up by the Crown to provide maori input in decision making processes.

Illustration, film expressing maori’s unfair treatment. Gender inequality for pakeha and maori.

Female leadership roles did not end with colonisation. Maori women active in Te kotahiltanga and women’s Christian Temperance Union.

Maori stories were twisted by colonisers stating Womens roles less valuable than mens. Common today for people today to believe male preserve in maori leadership roles.

“caught in the contradictions of a colonised reality”

Sexism which has occurred in Maori society originated more from colonisation than  heritage.

Challenge for maori women and men is to rediscover their tikanga Maori within their own Whanau and understand men do not have power over them as it is not in accordance of Tikanga Maori.

[wairaka]

I descend from Wairaka, the female Maori folk hero who paddled Mataatua to shore. Mataatua is my waka (my canoe). It was one of the first canoes to row ashore and settle New Zealand.

[tupuriaconsultancy]

Ko Ngāi Tūhoe te iwi Ko Ngāti Haka Patuheuheu te hapū Ko Mataatua te waka Ko Hikurangi te maunga Ko Rangitaiki te awa Ko Waiōhau te marae Ko Ngaheru Rikiriki tōku Pāpā Ko Ngāi Tūhoe te iwi Ko Ngāti Tāwhaki te hapū Ko Mataatua te waka Ko Taiarahia te maunga Ko Ōhinemataroa te awa Ko Ngahina te marae Ko Mihirau Tihema tōku Māmā Ko Te Hapuku Rikiriki tōku ingoa I am a Father of 3 Adult children Grandfather of 10 amazing mokopuna Great grandfather of 1 beautiful Moko Girl. I am a Kaumātua for Raukawa and Iwi Consultant for South Waikato Funeral Home. I live here in Tokoroa and have so for a number of years. I was born and raised in the heartland of my parents and growing up with Te Reo Māori me ōna Tikanga was normal for many of us. My parents were both native speakers respectively. I have been an educator right across the board having taught children and adults. A huge part of my life is dedicated to serving our Iwi of Raukawa ensuring that our future generations have stability within the Iwi and community. A great lot of what I do is based around communicating Te Reo Māori me ōna Tikanga with our Iwi and community, giving support and adding to the current infrastructure that is seen from a Iwi perspective. From a Māori lense, so to speak. My son's business is merely the physical shell for a huge lot of work that has already taken place. Fruition I guess, to a whole lot of work that even my own Son, has been a part of over many years. We look forward to working with you and I am humbled to be a part of my son's business, our business. Shortly he will be joined by 2 people who he truly loves and respects. My nephew and niece, Kyle and Herani. Experts in the mahi they do and have done over many years. Exciting times ahead for us all. Te Hapuku Rikiriki Kaumātua and Senior Advisor https://www.instagram.com/p/CSkU1g4hLmF/?utm_medium=tumblr

[carolynenting]

It’s worth travelling to Whakatane just to see this! Did the express tour of Mataatua Wharenui - New Zealand’s most travelled meeting house. The story of this wharenui is emotional, extraordinary and inspiring. It’s a top class tour run by the wharenui’s iwi Ngati Awa including an award winning light show projected onto the carvings that’s just magnificent and of course there are the carvings themselves! This house is also about unity and represents many tribes in the area. #mataatuawharenui #whakatane #travel #newzealand #maoricarvings (at Whakatane, New Zealand) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFxYZ6TMXBy/?igshid=4tujj3ncpqee

[ccc-sarahjaneseddon]

Whakapapa researching source - Massey Library Reading

Whakapapa

Whakapapa is the term used to describe Māori Genealogy. “Papa” is literally a board with Whakapaparanga referring to the layers or lineage.”Whakapapa” means the ‘laying down of generations’ one on top of the other as perceived by Māori people. Traditionally the whakapapa was recited using tokotoko or rākau. 

The whakapapa rāukau or tokotoko is a staff carved to represent the generations and was used to assist the recollection of the kaumātua reciting the whakapapa. Each carving represents a unique ancestry. 

In primary school and intermediate we used to make rākau out of newspaper or magazines. Traditionally these are wooden sticks. We would sit in groups and play games with the rākau. I didn’t know that whakapapa was recited using rākau.

Tapu and Noa.

“Tapu”(sacred) and “Noa”(without tapu) can involve a complicated structure with numerous connotations. Although these have greatly lessened in recent times, but in whakapapa, there are two very basic points to remember:

1. The dissemination of Whakapapa should be carefully considered. It is Taonga (treasure) and not to be treated lightly or shared indiscriminately. You should prove your connections and disclose your purpose before whakapapa may be shared with you.

2. Whakapapa should not be viewed while consuming food or drink.

We have also discussed Tapu and Noa, but this is an example of Tapu and Noa in a whakapapa perspective. 

Iwi, hapū and whānau

Ultimately Māori trace descent back to the arrival of the first waka (canoes.) Each waka then gave rise to individual iwi (tribes) descending from first arrivals from that particular waka.

The iwi is made up of both “Whānau” with a number of whānau gathered together forming “hapū”(sub-tribe).

My Waka is: Ko Mataatua te waka. 

My iwi is: Ko Tuhoe te iwi,

My hapū (sub-tribe): Ko Ngati Whare te hapū

Joyce, Brenda and Matthers, Bruce. Whakapapa: An introduction to Māori family history research. 2016 (Pg 3)

Tribal Genealogy

Genealogies are based on the tribe. 

Two websites that can help to find your genealogies are Takoa and Horouta.

Tribal histories are important in that they usually contain whakapapa.

For all genealogical research, you should start your whakapapa research by talking with members of your family

I have talked to my dad and used his ancestral knowledge to help me understand my whakapapa. I also know my whakapapa through my grandmother passing on a diagram of her grandmothers whakapapa. This is kept safe in a cupboard because it is taonga (treasure)

Joyce, Brenda and Matthers, Bruce. Whakapapa: An introduction to Māori family history research. 2016 (Pg 4-6)

Reference

Joyce, Brenda and Matthers, Bruce. Whakapapa: An introduction to Māori family history research. Pg 3-6. 2016. 

[rakovic]

Tauwhara marae is in the heart of Waimate North near the Mission House. The main hapū associated with Tauwhara are Ngāti Hineira, Ngāti Rēhia, Whanautara and Ngāi Tawake ki te Tuawhenua of the Ngāpuhi confederation; descendants trace their ancestry to the ancient waka named Mataatua.

The wharenui is Te Rangiawhiowhio, and there is a kohanga reo on site. Tauwhara marae connects to the maunga named Whakataha and to the Waitangi River.

[minstrel75itg]

#natgeo - 06.2020. “Taking the Lead.” Women’s role in politics is mandated in some nations—but can be violently thwarted. #newzealand : Kiritapu Allen, a member of the parliament, attends the Mataatua Kapa Haka, a performing arts competition, with her daughter, Hiwaiterangi Allen-Coates. Allen says her priority is advocating for those in remote and rural communities and others who often do not have a voice. #21stcentury #women #womenempowerment #womeninpower #worldhistory https://www.instagram.com/p/CCkKyOVFfk9/?igshid=18sw7kcbalmzi

[stoweboyd]

Te Whānau-ā-Apanui Iwi of New Zealand Rohe (region) Eastern North Island Waka (canoe) Mataatua Population 11,808 Te Whānau-ā-Apanui is a Māori iwi located in the eastern Bay of Plenty and East Coast regions of New Zealand's North Island. In 2006, the iwi registered 11,808 members, representing 13 hapu. Apanui Ringamutu’s mother Rongomaihuatahi was descended from Porourangi of the Horouta canoe, who was a founder of Ngāti Porou. His father Tūrīrangi was a descendant of Tamatekapua of the Te Arawa canoe, and the Ngāriki people of the Tauira canoe. When Rongomaihuatahi took Apanui to meet his relatives at Ōmāio, they gave land to the boy. Because of his noble ancestry, the people in that area were named after him: Te Whānau-ā-Apanui (the family of Apanui). During the 17th century, Apanui acquired vast amounts of land along the East Coast of the North Island. Through familial connection, he acquired land from Ngāti Porou and Ngāriki. He was given land extending from Pōtikirua to Puketapu, and from Taumata-ō-Apanui Hawai; the land in between was later won through conquest.

[meghowells-blog1]

Yesterday i visited the beautiful Mataatua Marae in Whakatane and took the opportunity to practice some photography techniques. Here i used a low aperture to focus on the detail in the carving and blur the background detail. I toned down the brightness of the images in photoshop to even out the tone and bring a more dramatic feel to them.

[morganhogg5]

Research: Parawhenuamea

09.06.21

Waikato Museum: New Zealand

E Hina e! E Hine e! explores the contemporary relevance of female Maaori and Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) akua/atua (ancestors). Focusing on our profound connections, and told through contemporary and traditional taonga (treasures), oratory, and visual storytelling, this exhibition celebrates the female essence.

Parawhenuamea

Story and song performed by Dr Aroha Yates-Smith (Te Arawa, Tainui, Horouta, Taakitimu, Mataatua)

Video, duration 5 minutes, 2018

“According to at least one iwi tradition, Taane’s union with Hine-Tuuparimaunga, the mountain, resulted in the birth of Parawhenuamea.  The term Parawhenua connotes silt rising up out of the ground with the water’s force.”  

Dr Aroha Yates-Smith, 2019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1QGRWZeNNI 

[rc-ccc]

Week 4 Task 3

Maori Views on Climate change.

In this article they interview a Taranaki woman named Emily Bailey who believes that climate change is a treaty of Waitangi issue, it goes on to say that she and other people think that this presents a direct threat to Maori.

This comes about because the Mataatua District Maori Council lodged a complaint to the Waitangi Tribunal saying that the government is not upholding their part of the treaty where they were to protect Maori land and property.

Emily goes on to talk about how climate change is something that is always bought up at gatherings, they talk about how climate change has people worried, the increase in temperature in the oceans will impact the shellfish stocks. “We’re going to lose our kaimoana if we are not careful.”

They also talk about how there is an increased risk of flooding and drought, saying that the weather is becoming more and more unpredictable and extreme.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/99949424/living-on-the-edge-a-mori-perspective-on-the-climate-crisis

Western views on climate change/consumerism.

- By ratifying the Paris Agreement in 2016, New Zealand confirmed it will plan for and take action to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

- Businesses, such as manufacturing and retail, are expected to be indirectly affected by changes to consumer behaviour, disruption of the supply of products and services, and/or damage to commercial assets. But climate change can also present new business opportunities.

Manufacturers and retailers go through resources like wildfire because the demand is always high. Western society is so used to buying and throwing away in quick succession. Why reuse when it’s so cheap and a lot less effort to buy something new. This kind of thinking is why billions of plastic bags are used every day, and subsequently ending up in the oceans. Because people can’t be bothered to remember reusable bags.

The western culture of consumerism is a big one. It spans all across the world, rapidly filling our earth with waste and people’s leftover junk. While many families/individuals live a waste-free lifestyle, it is not the norm yet. Businesses like Kmart and the warehouse pander to society's desire to “shop.” Everything is cheap but looks expensive, and you can buy from a large selection of home decor that’ll make you feel ‘well off.’ Places like this shove out millions of ridiculous items that people just can’t wait to buy. They’ve made Christmas easy because you can buy everything from one shop and don’t have to spend much money. However, because of their so cheaply made, these things don’t last, and not long after they’re bought, they are added to the ever-growing mound of trash that’s consuming the planet. The ‘expensive looking’ ornamental pineapple you bought may not last long before the trend is over and you’re bored of it, but it’ll live on long after you’re gone.

Western consumerism is a big problem for our planet because we can’t replenish resources as quickly as we are using them. As well as that, the amount of waste we create is overflowing into those resources and making the environment even less usable. Global mass consumerism does not take into consideration what it’s doing to the earth, all it does is take. There is no respect for the land, it’s only seen as a resource and not as a being with a limited lifespan when used in such an irresponsible way. There is no consideration for the fact that we are also part of the earth, and if we keep treating it as we are, there will be nothing left for us to be part.

Resource:

http://www.mfe.govt.nz/sites/default/files/media/Climate%20Change/adapting-to-climate-change-stocktake-tag-report.pdf

[beaubarron92]

Eating Plenty of kai in the Bay

“Ae, Aunty, have some more!” urges Maru, offering the plate of kumara brownies again. It was my big mistake, not to have come hungry for my tour of the Mataatua wharenui, because the previous two days should already have taught me: there will always be more to enjoy than you expect in the Bay of Plenty. Especially when it comes to food.

[voyagista]

Après avoir exploré Hawkes Bay puis la région isolée de East Cape en parcourant la SH35 nous avons continué notre lente remontée vers Auckland par la Bay of Plenty. Bay of Plenty veut dire Baie de l’Abondance, James Cook (encore lui, décidément il a donné des noms à presque toute la Nouvelle Zélande) l’a appelée ainsi car il y a trouvé de quoi se ravitailler en abondance. Pour la petite histoire, tout l’opposé de Poverty Bay (la baie de l’autre côté vers Gisborne, baie de la pauvreté) où il n’avait pas réussi à faire le plein du fait d’habitants pas super accueillants et qui est aujourd’hui de manière ironique l’un des coins les plus fertiles du pays.

Vue sur Ohope

Ohope voté la plus belle plage de Nouvelle Zélande

Ohope est souvent considérée comme la plus belle plage de Nouvelle Zélande, du coup on ne pouvait que s’y arrêter. J’avais trouvé un Bed and Breakfast (Ocean Spray que je vous recommande au passage ) super sympa juste au bord de la plage assez grand pour nous accueillir avec les beaux-parents. Tout était préparé pour passer un peu de temps en famille, sauf qu’il n’a pas arrêté de pleuvoir de tout notre séjour à Ohope… nous avons bien fait une petite balade sur la plage mais avec cirés et parapluies. C’est ça aussi la Nouvelle Zélande…

La NZ sous la pluie… on s’organise

Ohope, après les immensités vides de la SH35 nous a un peu laissé froid, comme d’ailleurs la Bay of Plenty en général. Ce coin de Nouvelle Zélande est très développé car c’est une destination de vacances très courue donc Ohope a certes une plage très belle mais à quelques mètres de la plage c’est maison contre maison, toutes collées…

Une plage sous la pluie…

S’il n’avait pas plu on aurait bien essayé d’aller voir un kiwi à Ohope Scenic Reserve ou encore marcher entre Ohope et Whakatane sur le Nga Tapuwae o Toi… ça avait l’air sympa mais cela sera pour une prochaine fois.

Whakatane: Marae et ile volcanique

Un magnifique marae

Quelques kilomètres plus loin nous arrivons à Whakatane qui est, selon la tradition maori l’endroit où le premier maori est arrivé pour découvrir la Nouvelle Zélande. L’attraction c’est le magnifique Mataatua Wharenui, un marae qui a fait le tour du monde pendant 130 ans en étant montré à différentes expositions avant d’être exposé dans un musée de Londres pour finalement rentrer à la maison. Le marae est de toute beauté et la communauté maori y a développé une visite avec un son et lumière vraiment super bien. Je recommande ABSOLUMENT.

L’autre grande attraction de la région, que nous n’avons pas faite, c’est de visiter White Island. White island est un volcan en activité sur une île située à 49 kilomètres des côtes. L’excursion, censée être top, est très chère et non recommandée pour les enfants de moins de 8 ans…. Difficile pour nous, les grands parents auraient pu faire les baby-sitters mais finalement le temps a mis tout le monde d’accord, nous reviendrons dans quelques années. Même si nous ne sommes pas allés à White Island, je m’étais renseignée pour aller visiter ce volcan. Le départ se fait de Whakatane avec White Island Tours. Le tour dure entre 5 et 6H mais on ne passe pas plus d’une heure et demie sur l’ile car il faut y aller et revenir… Il faut être bien chaussé et le tour coûte quand même 219 NZD par adulte, c’est donc un beau budget.

Mount Maunganui, la côte d’Azur Néo-Zélandaise

La magnifique randonnée de Mount Maunganui

Mount Maunganui c’est le super spot de vacances pour les Néo-Zélandais, c’est construit de partout, il y a pas mal de monde (même hors saison) et c’est certes joli mais trop, beaucoup trop développé pour moi. Je ne vais pas en Nouvelle Zélande pour me retrouver sur la côte d’Azur. Ceci étant dit il y a UN truc à vraiment faire à Mount Mauganui c’est de grimper Mount Maunganui. Je vous préviens vous ne serez pas seul car toutes les femmes au foyer du coin semblent se donner rendez-vous pour faire leur marche de la journée… vous remarquerez au passage que quand vous faites partie de la classe aisée en Nouvelle Zélande vous êtes forcément blonde, naturelle ou pas d’ailleurs, je faisais assez tache au milieu des blondes de Mount Maunganui. La rando n’est pas super difficile mais la vue est franchement incroyable et si vous avez de la chance vous croiserez même des Tuis. Si vous arrivez à vous garer, ne manquez surtout pas Mount Maunganui

L’autre côté de Mount Maunganui

Que faire d’autre à Bay of Plenty?

Katikati

Et bien pas des masses d’autres choses, il y a bien les statues de Hairy Maclarry à Tauranga mais si vous n’avez pas d’enfants néo-zélandais il y a de fortes chances que vous ne connaissiez pas ces livres pour les enfants mythiques en Nouvelle Zélande (petit G et petit A adoraient ces livres). Il y a également les peintures murales de Katikati, une ville en bord de la nationale qui a eu l’idée de faire faire plein de peintures sur les murs de la ville pour attirer les gens. Je m’attendais à un truc style street art mais on est loin de tout ça et j’ai trouvé le truc un peu décevant mais comme c’est sur le chemin autant jeter un coup d’oeil… Sinon la région est très connue pour ses kiwis, il y a même un espèce de parc d’attraction du kiwi avec un kiwi géant pour la photo si ça vous dit… vous avez dit kitsch?

Un petit Tui pour la route

Autant j’ai trouvé certains coins de la Bay of Plenty top (le marae de Whakatane ou la marche à Mont Maunganui), globalement je n’ai pas été charmée comme je l’ai été par le SH35 et la région de East Cape, trop de gens, trop de constructions.

Conclusion: en Nouvelle Zélande il faut aller au milieu de nulle part, c’est ce qui rend la Nouvelle Zélande aussi incroyable.

Détails du Marae

Tu connais la Bay of Plenty? Tu en as pensé quoi? Des idées pour me motiver à y retourner?

Nouvelle Zélande : Bay of Plenty et son abondance de touristes Après avoir exploré Hawkes Bay puis la région isolée de East Cape en parcourant la SH35…