Timeline of significant events in our history

1800s
Ngāi Tahu extinguishes Ngati Wairangi title to Te Tai o Poutini.

1826–27
Deadly conflict between South Westland Māori and pākehā sealers.

1845–53
Poutini Ngāi Tahu from Makaawhio and Arahura walk to Cloudy Bay, Marlborough, for Christian baptism.

26 April 1860
Agreement reached at Pouerua Pā to sell Te Tai o Poutini to the Crown for 300 pounds.

1865
Start of West Coast gold rushes, including Bruce Bay.

1866
Rangatira ariki Tūtoko dies and is buried at Mahitahi.

Te Koeti Tūranga

1876
Māori church built at Makaawhio.

January 1879
Young Commission hearings to determine final land ownerships on Te Tai o Poutini.

1891
Rangatira Kinihi te Kaoho, tuakana (first born) of Te Koeti Tūranga dies.

27 August 1892
Rangatira ariki Te Koeti Tūranga dies at Makaawhio Pā.

1910
Main Road opens: "Old Pā" isolated and eventually abandoned.

1930s
Mahitahi Tribal Committee formed.

1936
Bruce Bay Sawmill opens.

1943
Sawmill closes; township gradually abandoned.

1953
Mahitahi Tribal Committee reformed.

1985
Mahitahi Māori Committee reformed.

28 August 1988
Te Rūnanga o Te Koeti Tūranga formed at hui attended by 300 people at the Bruce Bay Hall.

Kelly Wilson, HRH Prince Philip and Bob Wilson at   Bruce Bay Hall in 1990

1996
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Act passed.

1997
Ngāi Tahu (Pounamu) Vesting Act passed.

1997
Name change to Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio.

2–3 November 2000
Takiwā hearing before Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu confirms Makaawhio legal rohe.

Opening of Te Tauraka Waka a Maui marae, 2005

16 March 2002
Marae site blessed.

26 January 2004
Building commences on marae.

23 January 2005
Te Tauraka Waka a Māui marae opens.

Last modified: 18 September 2007