Author(s): Marion Mare & Aloma Parker
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This book traces the history of the Wahiao people, weaving oral and recorded history to illustrate their relationship with the thermal valley of Te Whakarewarewatanga-o-te-ope-taua-a-Whiao. Whakarewarewa is New Zealand's most famous thermal tourist resort and has been home to Ngti Whiao for more than 300 years. The history of Ngti Whiao is recorded in the names of hot pools, mud pools, geysers, fissures, and streams in the valley. The bones of Ngti Whiao tupuna lie in caves in Te Puia and the surrounding Pohaturoa hills. This is a true David and Goliath saga. Whiao have a clear unbroken customary association with the land over hundreds of years. But other larger tribes also claim to have occupied Whakarewarewa at different times and have laid claim to the thermal valley. The stories describe the ancient and bloody wars fought, lost, and won by Whiao, and their more recent courtroom battles. From these encounters tribal heroes have emerged. It is their stories that are the focus of this book, from the war parties of the ancestor Whiao after whom the valley is named to the modern heroes who have fought for recognition of their mana whenua over their ancestral land. These heroes faced the forces of adversity over the last 120 years.
A social scientist and research psychologist, Dr Marian Maré has worked on many
projects for people who have gone on to benefit from her extraordinary
entrepreneurial skills. Dr Aloma Parker, a highly respected clinical practitioner and
consultant is a skilled researcher and writer. The two women are active in the New
Zealand Psychological Society, and they have worked closely together on a number
of projects.
