Writer, illustrator and historian Mere Whaanga in her Māhia studio Photo: RNZ/Sally Round
A grove of ancient trees cultivated for perfume centuries ago is among the surprises unearthed on Mere Whaanga's ancestral land on Māhia Peninsula.
For years the writer, historian and farmer had driven past the tītoki trees and not given much thought to the way they were placed in a straight line.
When Mere and her family delved further, more evidence came to light about the way her tīpuna (ancestors) used the trees.
The plantation is on Taipōrutu, 100 hectares of land on the eastern side of the peninsula, which has been home to 21 generations of Dr Whaanga's family, descendants of those who arrived on the Tākitimu waka.
There are pa sites, middens, urupa and healing springs as well as geographical features referred to in lore passed down over the centuries.
Dr Whaanga and her family also discovered groves of other tree species - white rata, kohekohe, kohuhu, tarata, heketara - with fragrant leaves and flowers which were probably used to perfume oil pressed from the berries of the tītoki.
Mere's mokopuna Te Owai holds a handful of tītoki berries Photo: Supplied
There is evidence of this in Captain James Cook's descriptions during his time in the area, Dr Whaanga said.
"The thing that he mentioned was how well-dressed the men were and that they were wearing perfume sachets which were made with tītoki oil."
The trees were a shining example of ancestral use of the land and said something about the people living there at that time, she said.
"They've gone well past survival and they're into a thriving society. They want hair oil and they want perfume."
Dr Whaanga, a recipient of Creative New Zealand's prized Michael King Writer's Fellowship, tells the story of Taipōrutu in her book, "21 Generations of Taipōrutu", to be published next year.
The latest generations have tapped into funds available through the One Billion Trees Programme and 70,000 trees have been planted on Taipōrutu, where sheep and beef have been farmed in recent years.
"We thought about all that ancestral connection and we decided to do mixed indigenous planting."
"It's the first time in 40 years we got to indulge ourselves and plant natives everywhere. It's wonderful."
The family is also looking at reviving the production of perfume and they have extended the ancient plantations.
Clem Schollum-Whaanga stands among some of the native plants planned for Taipōrutu Photo: Supplied
It could take five to 10 years before a fragrance could be produced again, Dr Whaanga's son Clem Schollum-Whaanga said.
He said the family wants to ensure the sustainability of the land and its produce.
In the meantime, Dr Whaanga (Ngāti Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Kahungungu) said her book would provide 21 generations worth of mātauranga (knowledge) for all those interested in ecology, biodiversity and kaitiakitanga (guardianship).
"It's not enough just to occupy the land ... you need to know the land so that you can look after it.
"A lot of our people are so disassociated from their land and their history and their reo that what we've done, what we're putting into practice, what I'm going to put in the book, will be of great interest to them."
