Te Whaanga translated, means ‘The Lagoon’.  It is the only landfall on this particular coastline that is not hemmed in by the bar.  For Maori, the ancestral people of New Zealand, Te Whaanga proved to be an ideal settlement. Its sheltered bay provided landing for waka (canoe) and respite when repairs needed to be made to nets, tools and weapons.  Its proximity to the open-ocean and local forest, made it a perfect jumping point for both deep sea fishing expeditions, game and food foraging. In time, Te Whaanga became a major thoroughfare for trading trips from the north and a rest-stop on route to Taranaki, Kapiti and the northern part of the South island.

 

By the 18th century, the settled areas around Te Whaanga were occupied by Ngati Koata.  It is from those Ngati Koata tupuna (ancestors) that the current owners of this property trace their lineage.  The photos of their great, great grandfather, Roma Ruruku (the last Ngati Koata Chief) and his daughter Wetekia, have place of pride at Te Whaanga Lodge.  We like to think that they and other tupuna visit here on occasion, vigilantly watching over the land and its manuhiri (important guests) as they did in the past.