Hōtoke/Winter

Ōtautahi

Explore our heritage

Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri, ā muri ake nei — For us and our children after us

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Christchurch city was once Tautahi’s special territory.

What to do

Head with your whānau to the Cambridge Village Green Reserve - a conservation area on the corner of Barbadoes and Salisbury Streets.

Look for the spot where Saint Mary's Stream tumbles into the Ōtākaro (Avon River). Clue: If you see the large carved pou, you've found it! This was the site of the Puari pā - home of the noble chief Tautahi.

Who was Tautahi?

Te Pōtiki Tautahi was one of the original Ngāi Tahu people to settle in the Canterbury region, where the swampy flatlands were rich with rakiraki (ducks), weka, eels, whitebait and small fish.

Christchurch city was once Tautahi’s special territory. The full name: Te Whenua o Te Pōtiki-Tautahi, was later shortened to Ō Te Pōtiki Tautahi, and eventually became Ōtautahi

Share your knowledge and to find out more, visit your local library or check out the Christchurch City Libraries and ngaitahu.iwi.nz websites.

Test your knowledge!

  • Who was Tautahi?
  • What is the Maori name for Christchurch?

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