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Pegasus Town and the Mapleham Block are immediately adjacent to the Kaiapoi Pa, the ancestral home of the Ngāi Tū-ahu-riri hapū (sub-tribe) of Ngāi Tahu. The entire Pegasus site was once extensively populated by the Ngāi Tū-ahu-riri’s ancestors who were known collectively at that time as Ngāi Tū-hai-tara. In the early 1830s, there were significant conflicts between the Ngāi Tahu residents of Kaiapoi Pa and an alliance of the North Island based iwi (tribes) under the leadership of Te Rauparaha (Ngati Toa). The losses incurred during those years rendered this site extremely tapu (sacred, respected), and those that had formerly lived in and around Kaiapoi Pa relocated the heart of Ngāi Tū-ahu-riri’s settlement a few kilometers inland at Te Tuahiwi (between Woodend and Rangiora).
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All in all, the Pegasus and Mapleham sites are recognised as being of immense historical and cultural significance to Ngāi Tū-ahu-riri and Ngāi Tahu. Sites of archaeological and cultural importance may be uncovered during the construction works, and a team of archaeologists and Ngāi Tū-ahu-riri observers have been working alongside the Pegasus development team.
The Waimakariri District Council district plan zone rules require that all planning, design and development work for the town is undertaken in accordance with the specific cultural zone rules and in a way that is respectful to Tangata Whenua (i.e. local Māori). Certain areas of the site are to be preserved (predominantly the Western Conservation Management Area) as they have particular cultural and historic significance.
To facilitate this process in 2005 Pegasus recruited the services of both an archaeologist and a cultural advisor to assist in the identification of sites and the development of protocols through which the design and construction could proceed. Archaeological investigations have been underway since the latter part of 2005 in a bid to understand more about the cultural and archaeological aspects of the site which should assist to smooth the commencement of full earthworks in due course.
Their work will contribute significantly to previous records relating to this land, and will in no small way help future residents of Pegasus Town understand the history of the land upon which they will live and play. Ngāi Tū-ahu-riri and Ngāi Tahu representatives have accepted that progress and development are an integral part of our world and wish to share their history with all residents and visitors of Pegasus Town for their own enrichment and greater sense of cultural well-being.
Toi tū te marae o Tangaroa
If the domain of Tangaroa (water) is nurtured and survives
Toi tū te marae o Tāne
And if the domain of Tāne (from the mountains to the sea) is nurtured and survives
Toi tū te Iwi
Then so too will people be taken care of and prosper
Further information
Māori History of the Area (pdf, 228kb) |
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