Tikanga Maori

Cliffs at Flea Bay

Ko Pae Karoro te pa
Ko Tutakakahïkura te takata
Ko Kai Tahu whanui te iwi e
Tihei Mauri Ora

Pōhatu pa or Flea Bay was the traditional home to Tutakakahïkura and his people in pre-European times. Pōhatu’s rich flora and fauna such as fish, seabirds, shellfish and freshwater fish was a source of mahika kai (food gathering).

Te Runaka o Koukourarata is the modern day face of Kai Tahu descendants based at Koukourarata (Port Levy). Eager to retain an area as a haven for struggling mahika kai species, they support Pōhatu as a marine reserve to enhance the whata kai (food store) reserves on Banks Peninsula (Horomaka).

In providing for the natural regeneration of the marine environment, Pōhatu will act as a kohanga (nest). This has the effect of replenishing fish stocks within the Banks Peninsula area .

Tangata whenua regard Pōhatu Marine Reserve as a key element of the integrated sustainable management of fisheries resources in the wider Akaroa harbour area.