Te Kōawa Purchase & Development

In 2001 Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu acquired a 445 ha property at 3023 Blackmount Redcliff Road, Blackmount called “The Jericho Block” - now known as Te Kōawa Tūroa o Takitimu (Te Kōawa). This site is culturally significant to Ngāi Tahu. The ownership of the property was subsequently vested in Te Waiau Mahika Kai Trust with the aim of creating an accessible mahika kai resource for the benefit of all Ngāi Tahu Whānui.

In partnership with Meridian Energy, buildings from Deep Cove were relocated onto the site in 2001 and upgraded to provide a facility that could be used for cultural learning, or by whānau using the site. The Lodge has accommodation for up to 30 people.

The whole property was leased for a number of years by Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust. Between 2013 and 2020 the property was leased and managed by Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka.

In 2004 series of wetlands were excavated along the flood diversion channel to provide some open water and habitat for waterfowl etc at the site.

The property was farmed extensively for many years, and this kept the valley as open pastureland with numerous wetland areas. In 2017 the property was completely destocked. In the last twenty years since the Trust has owned Te Kōawa, there has been significant natural regeneration, initially of mānuka, and later other species, aided by the seed source on the marginal strip to the north of Redcliff Creek.

In 2021 Te Waiau Mahika Kai Trust resumed day-to-day management of the majority of the property, while Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka still lease and manage the Lodge and facilities. The Trust would like to see increased use of these facilities, especially by Ngāi Tahu whānui. The lease of this part of the site to Ōraka-Aparima Rūnanga is a means of achieving this goal.