Tauranga Te Rongoa Trip gets the dig on development site

Tauranga Te Rongoa Trip gets the dig on development site

Nine offenders serving sentences of Community Work in Tauranga had a unique experience recently when they had an opportunity to check out a local archaeological dig site.

The participants in a Tauranga Work and Living Skills (WLS) Te Rongoa course visited Otanewainuku Forest last week for a field trip. Te Rongoa is the traditional Māori medicinal use of plants.

During the excursion, run in conjunction with a local iwi cultural advisor, the group were surprised to be invited to also view a nearby archaeological site the site where a housing development is to be built.

Archaeologists have been tasked to explore the history of the area as there was a pre-European settlement in the area. The group were shown several kumara pits and enjoyed an explanation from the head archaeologist of the soil layers and different findings. To date some taonga have been found on this site.

Probation Officer Melissa Campbell has received really positive feedback from those who enjoyed the experience:

“It’s such an awesome opportunity and the crew came back just buzzing. It never would have come about if we weren’t working with such great local partners on this programme but it ties in so well. Some of the guys plan to take their family back to see the developments happening and are now really interested in the local history.”

The Te Rongoa course includes the recognition and care of native plants, as well as an understanding of their healing properties. The initiative is part of the Corrections’ Work and Living Skills programme and is held at the local community garden at the Tauranga Community Corrections Site for four hours a week for six weeks.

Using tikanga Māori (Māori culture, beliefs and values) can help strengthen an offenders cultural identity and support them to make positive changes.

ENDS

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