Interpretation Panel Display Board at end of Ranui Street

This was a well known area for gathering of paru/mud used for dyeing of harakeke. Both my grandmother Oriana Ratuku and her mother Puhi Wahine collected paru/mud. It is a wahi taonga site of significant history both my whanau and my iwi Te Atiawa. The Interpretation Board can have an explanation of the process of collecting paru/mud and what it was used for along with some pictures would be ideal to give education and knowledge to the local community, nearby kura and visitors.  My kuia Puhi Wahine along with three other wahine did the weaving on the panels of the Lord Bledisloe Chair gifted by the community to him in 1934, so the area has another historically important cultural link that needs to be acknowledged and recognised. This adds value to the area with the wetland restoration, Waipuna Stream and Waitohi Picton Community Garden nearby. The area will need removal of willow trees and a restoration along with plantings to enhance the area. 

It is a wahi taonga site of significant history both my whanau and  my iwi Te Atiawa.

This adds value to the area with the wetland restoration, Waipuna Stream and Waitohi Picton Community Garden nearby.