Tangata | People

Bring to life the stories of Whakaraupō's inhabitants, tracing the lineage from Ngāti Wheke's ancestral guardianship to the mosaic of individuals who have contributed to the harbour’s contemporary narratives. These stories weave through the journeys of tangata whenua, the original people of the land, alongside those of tangata tiriti, the people of the treaty, who came to call this harbour home. Through personal tales of endeavour, resilience, and cooperation, our storytellers celebrate the rich tapestry of human experience that has defined Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour. Through these stories, you are invited to appreciate the depth of connection between the peoples and their whenua | land, a bond that continues to shape the harbour's contemporary bicultural identity into the 21st century.