Iwi and Dutch meet 375 years after first encounter

Descendants of the iwi that first met explorer Abel Tasman in a violent 1642 encounter will gather at the Golden Bay site for the 375th anniversary this weekend.

At least 20 descendants of iwi Ngati Tamatakokiri are travelling from all over the country to Golden Bay for the First Encounter 375 celebration this weekend, in what will be one of the area’s biggest heritage celebrations.

Ngati Tumatakokiri members first encountered Tasman and his crew in December 1642, when his ships sailed into what he would call Moordenaers Baij (Murderers Bay). Four of the Dutch crew were killed in the encounter.

Accompanying the iwi members will be visitors from Grootegast, near Tasman’s birthplace in the Netherlands, and their Dutch Ambassador, Rob Zaagman.

Ngati Tumatakokiri kaumata Doug Huria said it was would be historic event for the iwi.

His own great great grandfather took pioneer and explorer James Mackay to the top of the hill above Wainui and pointed over to Whariwharangi.

‘‘He told him that was the place Abel Tasman’s men were killed by his ancestors, and the ship sunk. He described that shipwreck to Mackay,’’ he said.

Commemoration organiser Penny Griffith said it might be the first time in 375 years that Ngati Tumatakokiri and the Dutch have been together in the original location of that first encounter.

‘‘Our small Golden Bay/Mohua community can definitely be proud of this commemoration. This is an important occasion, marking a nationally significant heritage event.’’

The commemoration begins tomorrow with a powhiri at Onetahua Marae for visiting dignitaries, followed by a large public opening event at the Pohara Hall at 4pm the same day.

The Minister of Conservation, Eugenie Sage, will formally mark the commemoration, as well as the 75th anniversary of Abel Tasman National Park, which was created in 1942. amount but said she was now only a few thousand dollars short of her target. She said she would make up the difference in order to reach $150,000.

For the next two Saturdays, Miles’ bucket would be at the market for anyone else who wished to donate. The final amount would then be tallied early in the new year.

Nelson Market owner and operator Nita Knight said Miles was an ‘‘amazing woman’’ and both market-goers and stallholders were pleased to see her.

‘‘She made a tremendous effort to collect, everybody was so appreciative of what she has done.’’

Knight said she took over collecting for Miles after she went home and managed to raise another $600.

For the next two Saturdays, Miles’ bucket would be at the market by the Handcrafted in Nelson stall for those who wanted to donate. A New Home for Hospice The Nelson Tasman Hospice is building a new facility in Stoke and is asking for the community’s help to fundraise $2.5 million of the $11.5m project. To donate, cheques can be sent to Nelson Tasman Region Hospice Trust, PO Box 283, Nelson 7010 or donations can be made online at www.nelsonhospice.org.nz/donate