Start / Finish Dates:
June 2024 - May 2026
Lead Researcher:
Dr Utiku Potaka
Whakauae Researcher:
Luke Enoka
Progress:
Studentships completed:
- Liam Barclay and Lisa Martin completed their summer (25/26) studentships with the project.
- Liam transcribed Native Land Court minutes from Ngāti Hauiti land blocks and identified evidence which supports and adds to a growing body of Ngāti Hauiti traditions and narratives.
- Lisa Martin undertook a tree-ring study (dendrochronology) of a sample of trees in the Pūtōrino area. This included field work, tree coring, mounting, and an analysis of the cores to find out the age of trees and past environmental conditions.
Waka tīwai (dugout canoe) project scoping completed:
- Project scoping has been completed for restoration work of a traditional waka tīwai located in Rātā.
Wānanga 2025 & 2026 completed:
- Two wānanga were held at Rātā Marae with our research partners, Ngāti Hauiti whānau, and other local communities.
- The 2025 wānanga was led ot by the project leads Utiku Potaka and Dr Callum Rees (Massey), with special presentations by Warren Warbrick (traditional construction techniques), Dylis Johns (waka restoration), Dr. Andrew Wells (dendrochronology), and Jeff Watson (hydrology), each topic contributing to the social and environmental context of Pūtōrino.
- The 2026 wānanga featured student presentations by Liam and Lisa. It also featured a presentation by Luke Enoka, who spoke about waka traditions on the Rangitīkei River. This wānanga also marked the completion of the Pūtōrino e Rua project.
Written outputs:
- Two outputs have resulted from the project: a journal article led by Massey researcher Dr Callum Rees and a technical report written by research intern Liam Barclay. Callum’s article presents a review of the Rangitīkei River terraces, while Liam's report details the methodology used in his studentship work. Both documents are available to download on our website publication page. Alternatively, you can view these documents by clicking the links below.
Rangitīkei River Terraces Formed During the Otira Glaciation: Lithostratigraphic Type Sections, Review and Conceptual Model
Pūtōrino e Rua: An Examination of Historical Accounts
