Pūrākau Kai Tahu - Our Stories

Join Tūmai Cassidy, Cultural Advisor / Senior Ranger & Researcher at Te Rūnaka o Ōtākou on a special interactive hīkoi to the Ōtepoti - Dunedin Sinclair Wetlands, part of the Festival of Interactive Narrative & Storytelling (FINS).

Engage in the stories of local iwi/hapu; learn about the importance of 'Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau', and how the myths and legends helped Māori understand their world.

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Transport is provided. Pick up/drop off at Petridish, 8 Stafford Street, Dunedin.

Spaces are limited, booking essential.

Attendance to Pūrākau Kai Tahu hīkoi is by koha* (donation) only. Please indicate your koha when selecting tickets.

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Ko Te Atua o Taiehu te Mauka

Ko Ōtakou te Tai

Ko Ōtakou te Marae

Ko Kāi Tahu, Taranaki, Ngāi Takoto kā iwi

Tūmai Cassidy was born and raised in Ōtepoti | Dunedin, with a deep understanding of Kāi Tahu language, culture and traditional ecological knowledge. Since 2020 he has lead a manawhenua environmental restoration project at Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau / Sinclair wetlands. Tūmai has many roles within Te Rūnaka o Ōtākou and is heavily involved in both local and national conservation and environmental restoration initiatives. Currently Tūmai is a member of the Otago Conservation Board and is an advisor to Predator Free in the landscape scale projects backbone team. Tūmai is interested in how the environment and can benefit from modern technology.

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Pūrākau Kai Tahu hīkoi is supported by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and the New Zealand Centre of Digital Excellence (CODE).

*Koha reflects the mana of both the giver and the recipient, reflecting what the giver is able to give, and the esteem in which they hold the person or group to whom they are making the gift. This important acknowledgment is part of forming good relationships.

Image credit: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai