Mauao and Monmouth Redoubt are under research as part of commissions for other Tauranga claims (Wai 540 and Wai 580 respectively). This report covers Otawhiwhi Reserve, and separate reports have also been completed under this research commission for Mangatawa, Pukewhanake, Huharua, and Nga Kuri a Wharei.

Location

This report focuses on the area known today as Bowentown Heads at the northern entrance to the Tauranga Harbour, overlooking Matakana Island. A sandy beach eight kilometres long with extensive sand dunes extends from Waihi Beach to the rocky headland at Bowentown. The other side of the peninsula is a tidal estuary (Waiau), facing towards Athenree (see figure 1). The headland contains prominent pa sites, including Te Kura a Maia, on which the terraced fortifications are still clearly visible.

For most of the last 100 years, the majority of the peninsula has been a public recreation reserve, known as the Katikati Domain or the Bowentown Domain. The 75 hectare reserve consists of lot 25 and lot 26, Parish of Katikati, including a long stretch of sand dunes on the ocean beach side and the headland. The reserve is used extensively by both visitors and the small local population, which is considerably increased over the summer months. Lots 25 and 26 were Crown land as a result of the Katikati Te Puna purchase. Today the reserve is vested in the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, who are responsible for its administration.

The name ‘Otawhiwhi’ traditionally refers to sandy flats on the estuary side, in front of the marae, which is also known as Otawhiwhi. The marae is situated on part of a 68 acre reserve created for Maori out of the Katikati Te Puna purchase (Lot 1, Parish of Katikati). Most of this reserve is still Maori freehold land today, held by the Whanau a Tauwhao hapu of Ngai te Rangi.

Issues

In 1982, as part of a submission to the Tauranga County Council and the Bay of Plenty Harbour Board, the Tauranga Moana District Maori Council had this to say about the Bowentown Heads/Otawhiwhi area:

The pa sites on the heads are all included in the Domain area which is public recreation area. The shoreline area adjacent to the marae to the foot of the Pa o Auturourou, and including the wahi tapu, the rock which provided the name Otawhiwhi, should be seen as part of the marae development. This area of Maori land is used by Whanau o Tauwhao for camping, as a base for fishing and gathering pipi and tuangi (cockles) from the nearby beds in the estuary of the Waiau. Because public camping and recreation areas are already provided in the Domain, with access to the harbour this area of shoreline and harbour should be seen as mainly, though not exclusively, used by Whanau o Tauwhao and visitors to the marae.¹

¹ ‘Maori Cultural Values and Planning for Tauranga Harbour’, Submission to Tauranga County Council and Bay of Plenty Harbour Board from Tauranga Moana District Maori Council, March 1982, in Evelyn Stokes, Te Raupatu o Tauranga Moana: Volume 2: Documents Relating to Tribal History, Confiscation and Reallocation of Tauranga Lands, University of Waikato, Hamilton, 1992, p 42