Whakaraupō in Te Waipounamu, the South Island of Aotearoa New Zealand, is not only a natural wonder but also a repository of rich histories and narratives, woven into the fabric of the land by its peoples. Mana whenua, the indigenous people of this land, have passed down their stories through generations, using the art of storytelling to preserve their heritage, culture, and connections to the whenua (land). These stories range from the creation narratives that speak to the origins of the cosmos, to the tales of Ngāti Wheke and the Māori who came before them, Kāti Mamoe and Waitaha. Follow their journey to and settlement in Whakaraupō, and on through to the interactions and impacts of the colonial era into contemporary times. Through Mana Whenua stories, we invite you to immerse yourself in these First Nations narratives as told by tangata whenua storytellers, offering a unique lens through which to understand the landscape of Whakaraupō, its first peoples, and their enduring legacy.

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All mātauranga Māori / information that was collected from and/or provided by Ngāti Wheke and their representatives, and contained within these stoires, is deemed to be their exclusive intellectual property and remains the property of Ngāti Wheke and/or the individual or community whom the information originated from. Any further use of this mātauranga Māori / information is subject to permission and written approval by Ngāti Wheke.