Learning and reading stories about local Maori history in Taieri Mouth.

We learnt that Moa bones had been discovered in a Maori settlement so there must have been a moa hunter. The children drew pictures after listening to the story of two chiefs, one from Taieri Mouth called Tuwiriroa who had a daughter named Haki Te Kura. The other chief named Tukiauau was a rival and had a son Korokiwhiti who lived on a settlement near Taieri plains. The two children of the chiefs fell in love but the young women's father disapproved.

The chief from Taieri Plains was a hunted man and learnt that his enemies had found out where he was living so he moved his people along with his son down south. While on their journey down river the young women was distraught and leapt from a rock into the water but sadly she died. Her father blamed the chief Tukiauau and his son, he pursued them and they were later killed.

All the Taieri Beach School children built their own miniature waka/canoe out of sticks and cabbage leaves They had to find dry sticks so they can float better and we stripped the cabbage leaves into very thin strips so we could weave together the little sticks and glued some areas to add extra strength.

We did a test run to see if they float before our big day when we will see which one will finish a trip down a stream and who's will be the fastest. I am pleased to say they all float well and who knows we may even have a future Americas cup boat designer !!!