Whenua

TE AWA WHAKATIPU (the Dart River) flows from its headwaters in Kā Tiritiri-o-te-moana
(Southern Alps) and the Dart Glacier, into the northern end of Whakatipu Waimāori (Lake Wakatipu).

Awa is the Māori word for river, and although the meaning of Whakatipu is no longer known, it’s a regionally important name, with several other nearby features containing the name Whakatipu.

Along with Te Komama (Routeburn) and Ōkare/Whakatipu-ka-tuku (the Hollyford River), Te Awa Whakatipu was part of the well-known travel route connecting Whakatipu Waimāori with Whakatipu Waitai (Martins Bay), one of the largest Ngāi Tahu kāika (settlements) in South Westland. Numerous pounamu artefacts and the remains of several kāika nohoaka (seasonal settlements) have been discovered at the head of Whakatipu Waimāori.

The famed Te Koroka pounamu source is located nearby.

This photograph is part of Unutai e! Unutai e! which harnesses the power of contemporary art to shed light on an urgent environmental crisis: the deteriorating state of fresh water across Kāi Tahu tribal lands.

In 2020, Ngāi Tahu filed a statement of claim with the High Court in Ōtautahi Christchurch, seeking recognition of our rakatirataka (authority) over wai māori (fresh water) within our takiwā (territory).

To support this claim, Te Kura Taka Pini, the division of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu responsible for the case, enlisted photographer Anne Noble to capture and document the crisis. Her role was to provide an impartial perspective – capturing our people in their chosen waterbodies while also revealing the widespread environmental degradation we witness across Te Waipounamu.

What began as a photographic assignment evolved into an extensive archive, illustrating the devastation and resilience of whānau, hapū and iwi striving to restore wai māori, uphold rakatirataka, and protect mahika kai practices.

The exhibition is at Dunedin Public Art Gallery until October 12.
It will then be on display at Christchurch Art Gallery
Te Puna o Waiwhetū from December 13–April 19 2026.

PHOTOGRAPH: TE AWA WHAKATIPU/DART RIVER
(OCTOBER 30 2024) BY ANNE NOBLE