Ngāti Kahungunu Horse Trekkers rode from Waimārama to the summit of Kahurānaki Maunga to lay a mauri stone representing the mana of their ancestors and aspirations of their mokopuna. The troop of 18 horses and riders departed Waimārama Marae on Saturday at 8 am and arrived at the summit at around 2 pm. All food and water were carried by the riders and horses. By the time they returned to the marae at 6 pm, they had been in the saddle for 10 hours.

The trail crossed the ancestral track from Waimārama to Kahurānaki, passing through ancient Pā sites Mātanginui, Rangitoto (whenua still owned by the descendants of Tiakitai), onto Cabbage Tree and Te Aratipi Stations before crossing the maraetōtara river and then through Kōtare and Kahurānaki Stations. The trek, which started at sea level, immediately starts climbing through the Okaihau hill country and up onto the peak of Kahurānaki at 2200 ft, the highest peak on the Heretaunga plains.

Once at the peak, a mauri stone cut from Taupunga rock (the anchor of the Takitimu waka) was laid and the appropriate karakia given.

Says Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Chairman and leader of the trek, Bayden Barber, “We had been told that the sale of Kahurānaki will go unconditional within the next few weeks so this was an opportunity to lay the mauri of our people, both past, present and future on our ancestral mountain, so that we don’t forget the maunga and the maunga doesn’t forget us.”

Kahurānaki Station was sold in May 2025 through a closed tender process to an unknown purchaser after the bid by Tamatea Pōkaiwhenua Settlement Trust was unsuccessful.

Continues Barber, “There is still a lot of mamae there amongst our people that we didn’t achieve the purchase, so this is the Māori way to shed that taumaha or heaviness and move onward and upward. We are hopeful that the new owners will reach out to iwi so that the relationship with our maunga can be maintained.”

The trek was attended by whānau throughout Hawke’s Bay, including representation from Maraenui, Te Hauke, Omāhu, Whakakī and Waimārama.

Hoihō the Bay, founder Alby Kiripatea commented, “It was an epic trek, my whānau loved every minute of it and hope it can become an annual event in memory of our maunga Kahurānaki. I also want to give a huge mihi to Bayden and his whānau for the hospitality which was second to none.”

While this trek had a very deliberate kaupapa regarding Kahurānaki Maunga, it was also an opportunity to renew whakapapa connections, resurrect historical narratives and reinforce the important role that horses play in the lives of many whānau, hapū and iwi.

Adds Barber, “We love our hōiho. Many sites of significance to our history and future are best seen from the back of a horse. It was great to get some of our rangatahi out on this trek, walking where their ancestors walked many generations ago. It is also timely, considering the rising cost of gas and oil.

Notes:

Ngāti Kahungunu Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated is a Mandated Iwi Organisation/Authority. Ngāti Kahungunu is the third largest iwi. Geographically the tribe has the second longest coastline in the country from Paritū in the North to Turakirae in the South. Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated maintains an independent position to provide research, advice and advocate for the interests, rights, values, beliefs and practices of Ngāti Kahungunu alongside our whānau and hapū. Our mission is to enhance the mana and well-being of Ngāti Kahungunu.

© Scoop Media