An archaeological dig leads to discoveries, often unseen and buried below the surface, waiting to be discovered by people who can understand what they are looking at.  

Coastal erosion events over time have occurred at Te Kauae a Māui, Cape Kidnappers and discovery of koiwi and artefacts out there in 2019 led to the archaeology department of Otago University gaining official permission from Heritage NZ to execute an official archaeological dig out there in February 2020.

Te Kaihautu of Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga Marei Apatu was involved early on with the discovery but the prospect of a concurrent science wānanga where rangatahi could have hands-on experience in such an important cultural project did not manifest until November 2019 due to the wait for official permission for the dig itself.   

This meant there was a condensed timeframe to plan a science wānanga and a noho marae based at Matahiwi marae in February 2020.   The wānanga programme was adapted to target a reduced number of participants of an older age bracket (Yrs 10 to 13) because of short notice for school participation, the logistics for a field trip to the location, and subsequent supervisory constraints.

A 3-day noho to whakamana the experience was held at Matahiwi marae and 14 rangatahi from Te Arahou kura and 3 from Hastings Boys High School were able to participate.

The field trip out to Te Kauae a Māui was opened up to include mana whenua whānau participants to travel with the 17 students to the Cape and join the walk out to the historical archaeological site.  Gannet Safari overland buses and 4-wheel drive vehicles transported over 40 people to the Department of Conservation house at the Cape.  

The wānanga process was ideal to observe rangatahi potential and alongside supporting the tracking of rangatahi through school towards tertiary pathways, Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga will look forward to supporting the talent and leadership unearthed from the wānanga.   

As this was not a ‘usual’ science wānanga where programme delivery and activities are usually run by up to 12 Otago staff, tutors and post-graduate students who travel to Heretaunga for them, Te Manaaki Taiao was grateful that resourceful local whānau filled that space. In particular, Levi Walford who stepped up to not only provide activities and noho marae socialisation for the rangatahi, but also empowered them to share their feedback and be heard. 

Thanks also to ngā Kaiako o Te Arahou. Kohukohurangi Isaac-Sharland who was a constant over the noho period on behalf of the kura, and Kotuku Tomoana whose rich knowledge of te reo, kawa and tikanga, was invaluable.  He mihinui to the haukainga of Matahwi marae and the mana whenua whanau who supported and engaged with the kaupapa.    “He kotuku rerenga tahi” 

A preliminary report on the findings from the dig will happen in the next few months and hopefully the final report from the Otago University archaeological team report will be completed by end of 2020/ early 2021.  We'll keep you posted.