The Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa group at Murupara's Rangitahi Marae. Photo / Supplied
A contingent of Ngā Wairiki, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō and Ngāti Apa people has made a memorable trip to the Bay of Plenty, retracing the steps of ancestor Apa-Hāpai-Taketake.
It's a journey the iwi had dreamed of for a long time, research team member Kiri Wilson said. Some
had made it as individuals but this was the first time it had been done by a group.
The 50 who went were mainly young people, including rangatahi from the tribe's Maripi Tuatini leadership programme and 10 from the southernmost outpost of the iwi, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, in the top of the South Island.
They left on April 21 for the six-day journey and stayed at Kokohinau Marae in Te Teko, Rangitahi Marae in Murupara, Umutahi Marae in Matatā and at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi in Whakatāne.
Some of those on the trip felt an almost-instant connection with places.