The purpose of the Te Manahuna Pou Whenua Roadmap is to provide a roadmap for the creation of a physical presence for mana whenua throughout Te Manahuna (Mackenzie District), through the development of a network of pou whenua (traditional markers).
It is intended to act as an agreed vision for the development of these pou whenua, including locations, cultural significance and the cultural narratives that will sit alongside them.
In time, these narratives are also intended to be used in a digital platform that will sit alongside the physical pou and can be used to learn more about the significance of each site.
It has been developed through close collaboration between mana whenua, Mackenzie District Council and Central Government. It is expected, by gaining agreement from all stakeholders, that this roadmap will be used as a key document when seeking funding for pou whenua in the future.
For mana whenua, Te Manahuna is a significant cultural landscape with a confluence of natural resources and traditional trails. Aoraki, the surrounding mauka (mountains) and glacial lakes are particularly important, their cultural narratives are intrinsically woven into the fabric of Kāi Tahu whakapapa (genealogy) signifying an enduring connection between the people (iwi) and the landscape.
There is a strong desire from mana whenua to be present, connected, and involved in the future of Te Manahuna. The stories of mana whenua are not currently told and are not visible to mana whenua themselves, nor residents or manuhiri (visitors). The sharing of mana whenua stories will add to the cultural heritage of Te Manahuna and mark the historical access routes of mana whenua into the region.