These personal reflections were gathered as part of an investigation into marine protection on the Wairarapa Coast by the Department of Conservation in association with Rangitaane o Wairarapa and Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa. The investigation, due for completion in late 2003, revealed a startling lack of historical literature on our coast. To fill the gap in our knowledge and to help us form marine protection strategies for the future, we asked six kaumatua to tell us of their relationship with the coast, and share their memories of specific locations between Akitio and Palliser. Their collective memory now forms an important body of work for us to reflect on now, and in the future.
