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Reflecting on the History of Takiri

KAPITI COAST, TUESDAY 23 MAY 2017 - An intimate blessing at Coastlands’ Takiri House, acted as an important remembrance and reflection of the history of Takiri and Coastlands within the Kapiti community.

The blessing, a He Whakatūwheratanga Whare, or An Opening of a House/ Facility, was performed by Ben Ngaia and aimed to acknowledge the facility, its location, significance to mana whenua (the local iwi), Te Āti Awa as well as the historical significance regarding the land in which this site rests. This was a particularly important blessing for the whānau descendants, as it was the land of their kuia (elder), who was much loved throughout the Kāpiti district.

Takiri House, named after the late Takiri Love, was an original Coastlands shareholder. Takiri Akuhata Love was born in Paraparaumu 1900, her parents were Ruhia Epiha and Akuhata Eruini of Te Atiawa Ki Whakarongotai descent. Takiri’s mother Ruhia died when Takiri was three years of age and Takiri was raised by Ruhia’s sister Pirihia Epiha, known to the family as Neni Haramate.

Takiri succeeded Māori land shares from both Ruhia and Pirihia in the Kapiti district. During the 1930- 1960’s Māori land was greatly sought after for development of Paraparaumu, including the airport and town centre land. It was a difficult time for Māori landowners balancing their commitment to preserving their lands for future generations and meeting the pressure to release land for sale, or having blocks taken under the Public Works Act.

With the support of her family and the agreement from the other whānau shareholders Takiri consolidated her shares through the Māori Land Court into a single block on which the Coastlands Mall was built.

Takiri’s husband Matiu Love, her son Tutini Love, her daughter Poiria Love Erskine and currently her granddaughter Takiri Cotterill have each been Directors of the Coastlands Board.

Takiri Love inheritance stems from the historical association of Te Āti Awa in its establishment of mana whenua rights throughout the Waikanae and Paraparaumu areas from the period of settlement in 1822 onwards. Wharemauku Pā was a village in which Ngāti Puketapu hapū, a sub-tribe of Te Āti Awa, resided. The descendants of Tākiri Love are also the descendants of those ancestors who established these rights.

“There is an important spiritual, emotional, physical and environmental connection to this area, important to acknowledge. In the past Coastlands has blessed the land with family and buried rocks from Taranaki under the building and also blessed the buildings when they were completed,” says Richard Mansell, Coastlands Director.

The ceremony, an initiative driven by the whānau of Tākiri Love themselves, exemplifies the strong relationship the family have with the other shareholder families and Māori Trust partners. These are the relationships that have made Coastlands Shopping Town such a significant part of Paraparaumu’s Town Centre and the Kāpiti community.

Coastlands, a family owned business since 1969 has over 100 local shareholders. Housing over 120 businesses, Coastlands provide over 1,500 local jobs and donate over $100,000 back to the community annually. Coastlands have previously funded several community projects including, The Kapiti Arts Performing Centre, The Coastlands Aquatic Centre, and The Coastlands Kapiti Sports Turf.

ENDS.

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