Retelling of Ahipara

Retelling of Ahipara

Once there were two tribes they were Te Aopouri and Te Rarawa and they were always fighting about who owned 90-mile beach. But one day the chief Poroa made a big line across the beach Te Aupouri were on the north and Te Rarawa were on the south. Because of that Poroa got given a wife and her name was Whangatauatia. One day when he returned to his own pa he renamed it Whangatauatia in honour of his wife. Luckily the two tribes regained peace for many years but eventually, Poroa died. And his great mana, a tapu was put on the beach for a year. During the time a Rahui, a ban was put on all birds fish and shellfish. When the Tapu was lifted a great feast was held and was customary in those days. The first fish and shellfish caught were cooked. Over a special fire and prayers were said and the food was placed in a certain place as an offering and that’s how Ahipara got its name,

Ahi - Meaning fire

Para para - The roasted fish that was put aside as an othering. By Lola

Reflection - I liked how we had to retell the story of how Ahipara got it’s name.