Collision 2.0
The 255th anniversary of Captain Cook’s landing in Tūranga marks the first collision with the British Empire, and it is this kaupapa that drives our ongoing engagement with the British High Commissioner.
Collision 2.0 is a new chapter sharing our stories, and focusing on climate action, taonga repatriation, and truth-telling.
We invite everyone to evolve with us as we continue this journey forward. Together, we will shape a future grounded in our past, while addressing the challenges of today.
Tiwha tiwha te pō!
Tiwha tiwha te pō!
Ko te Pakerewhā
Ko Arikirangi tēnei rā te haere nei
Gloomily dark is the night
There is the Pakerewhā
And Arikirangi is yet to come
In 1766, Toiroa Ikariki, a tohunga from Nukutaurua, Māhia had a vision that would shake the very foundations of our society.
Toiroa drew his prophecy in the sand depicting the arrival of Cook and the Endeavour, strangers with red or white skin, and also Arikirangi, a grandchild of Toiroa, still to be born.
His words were 'Tiwha Tiwha te pō, ko te Pakerewhā, ko Arikirangi tēnei rā te haere nei' | 'Gloomily dark is the night, there is the Pakerewhā, there is Arikirangi to come'. A prophecy that foretold the coming of strangers and a time of darkness.
This prophecy would come true three years later with the arrival of Cook and his men. Decades after, Te Kooti Arikirangi led the resistance movement to free our people from colonisation.
This marks the beginning of our Collision story…
Artist: Taupuru (Ariki) Whakataka Brightwell
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Our Story Our Way
On the 8th of October 1769, Captain Cook and his crew arrived in Tūranganui-ā-Kiwa, where they tragically killed nine Rongowhakaata tipuna, including Rangatira Te Rākau. Over three days, our ancestors were murdered, tamariki kidnapped, taonga taken—including plants—and our region was renamed from Te Tairāwhiti to Poverty Bay.
The slogan ‘Our Story Our Way’, central to the 2019 Tuia 250 campaign, signifies the importance of preserving and sharing our own narratives of history, as they are fundamental to our unique identity as Rongowhakaata. It reflects our commitment to ensuring that our version of history is told, remembered, and passed down through generations, so that our mana and perspective remain at the forefront of any historical discourse.
Dive into our Collision narrative as we share our version of our Cook ‘encounter’.
Read, watch and learn more below
Expression of Regret
In 2019, the Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust led a groundbreaking initiative, successfully advocating for British High Commissioner Laura Clarke to issue an 'Expression of Regret' acknowledging the actions of Captain Cook and his crew upon their arrival in 1769. This public acknowledgment of the atrocities committed by Captain Cook and his crew when they arrived in Tūranga in 1769 stands as one of the rarest recognitions in the history of global English colonisation, securing meaningful recognition of our historical grievances.
Watch and learn more below
Strategic Relationships and Taonga Repatriation
Despite the atrocities committed by Cook and his crew in 1769, we, as Rongowhakaata, continue to stand strong, honouring our tipuna and carrying forward their legacies. Our survival and endurance are a testament to the strength and resilience of our people, ensuring that their stories, values, and aspirations live on through us.
The Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust is committed to fostering long-lasting and meaningful partnerships with the British High Commission, British cultural institutions, and other key organisations. These relationships are crucial in enabling us to access our taonga and mātauranga held within their archives. Through these strategic partnerships, we aim to reclaim and preserve our cultural heritage, ensuring that our history and knowledge are returned to their rightful place within our iwi.
In 2019, Two Rongowhakaata delegations, with the support of British High Commissioner Laura Clarke, initiated discussions with the British Museum to bring our taonga home.
Watch and learn more below
Rongowhakaata Key calls
On October 7 2024 British High Commissioner Iona Thomas will return to Manutūkē to meet with Rongowhakaata Iwi. The hui will revisit the 2019 Expression of Regret issued by the British Government and culminate in the announcement of a significant grant to Rongowhakaata.
This event offers the British government a continued chance to recognise the leadership and strength of Rongowhakaata through creating meaningful actions, deepening her understanding of the ongoing impacts of the Cook Collision. It is a chance for the British Government to listen, learn, and acknowledge the importance of our taonga and mātauranga.
Rongowhakaata is calling on the British Government for continued meaningful action on;
1. Taonga Repatriation
The repatriation of our taonga is critical to unlocking ancestral mātauranga and restoring our cultural legacy. Their return will reconnect us with the wisdom of our tīpuna, deepening our understanding of identity and guiding our future aspirations.
2. Securing Access to Historic Botanic Records for climate change insights
The botanical specimens collected during Captain Cook's voyages, notably by Joseph Banks, provide an invaluable snapshot of Tūranga's pre-industrial natural environment. These records offer unique insights into the effects of climate change on our region. By accessing and studying these historical taonga, we can strengthen our environmental revitalisation efforts and ensure the protection of our taiao for generations to come.
3. Amplifying Rongowhakaata Narratives
Sharing truthful and inclusive histories allows for intergenerational healing, both within Indigenous communities and in broader societies. We are dedicated to ensuring the Rongowhakaata narrative of Cook's landing at Tūranganui-a-Kiwa is told, remembered, and passed on. Our mana and perspective must remain central to any retelling of this history preserving our story for future generations.
Read the full statement for media below
