top of page
image.png
image.png
image_edited.jpg

[PLEASE NOTE THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION]

 

 

About Whanganui Bay​

​

Whanganui o Taupō Moana sits on the western shores of Lake Taupo and is the home of Ngāti Te Maunga the youngest hapū of Tūwharetoa.  The amphitheatre created by the majestic Parikarangaranga o Whanganui cradles the whenua in its embrace and have stood resolute for many aeons. In the more recent millennia they have witnessed the many battles that Ngāti Te Maunga fought to protect its boundaries and those of Tūwharetoa from marauding iwi who came from the north and south to take the mana over the whenua, the sacred maunga and the moana for themselves.  Ngāti Te Maunga fought valiantly alongside other hapū of Te Tini o Parekaawa to vanquish their foe and have been left to enjoy peace ever since.

​

In 1902 Te Waaiti son of the famous chief and warrior Hohaia successfully claimed much of the Hauhungaroa ranges and the Whenuakura plains to the west, the Karangahape cliffs and Whakarawa plateau to the south and the Awakino plateau to the north.  These lands except for Awakino (alienated by the crown) are managed under various landblocks:

​

         Hauhungaroa 2C Incorporation

         Whakarawa Ahuwhenua Trust

         Whenuakura 2D1 

         Whenuakura 2D2 (co-management with DOC)

         Whanganui Māori Reservation Trust

​

Today the hapū is estimated to be 4,000 strong with one whānau alone being made up of fourteen siblings who gave birth to 105 children with many hundreds of descendants.  Whanganui o Taupō Moana or Whanganui Bay as it is commonly known is managed under the Whanganui Māori Reservation Trust and comprises  the papakainga, marae (under construction), mahinga kai for maara and hī ika and the urupa.

​

​The Reservation was partitioned from Whakarawa Block in 1965.  ​The Reservation has no shares (no shareholders) and the only beneficiaries are ngā whānau of Ngāti Te Maunga.

​

Ngāti Te Maunga is named after their Tupuna - Te Maunga, the great grand-daughter of Parekaawa.  Te Maunga descends from the youngest son of Parekaawa - Kikoreka.

​

Te Maunga lived her life in the Hauhungaroa and in Whanganui Bay with her family and descendants in the 1800s.  As tangata whenua her mana and the mana whenua of Ngāti Te Maunga was asserted in Court in 1902 when her descendant, Te Waiiti claimed mana whenua rights for the hapū.  He abundantly and concisely shared stories of historic events, specific locations and named areas throughout the rohe.

​

Access and permission to be in Whanganui Bay, swimming or camping, is automatically granted to ngā whānau o Ngāti Te Maunga.  Permission to build or place a caravan in Whanganui Bay requires permission in writing from the Trust as well as a formal arrangement and payment of annual fees.

​

Non-hapū visitors require prior written approval from the Trust - including boaties.  The Queens Chain does not apply in Whanganui Bay as no prior agreement has been made with Taupo District Council.

​

Permission to conduct any activities (excluding tangihanga or unveilings) must be granted in writing from the Trust at an Ordinary Meeting of the Trust.  Such activities include (as per the Māori Reservation Act):

​

  • Weddings

  • Birthday Parties

  • Reunions

  • Wānanga

  • Parties larger than 30 people

  • Guest groups

  • commercial activities

  • Hunting

​

​

​

bottom of page