Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga

An account of traditions and wars of the South Westland Māori. Some plant uses: p.14 Oldest tribe, Waitaha of the Uruao canoe thrived on a rich diet of shell-fish, eels and lampreys, as well as the cabbage tree, mamaku and fernroot they are said to have brought with them in the Uruao. p.59. Weka preserved in their own fat and packed in seaweed bags. Pigeons usually caught with snares made of cabbage tree or flax leaves and set in kōwhai trees. Night fishing for flounder done with rama (torches) made from the resinous heart of the rimu. p.60. Upokororo (grayling) and mata (whitebait) caught with nets of closely woven flax. Sometimes channel and a deep hole dug in the shallows and the upstream passage blocked with mānuka tops. Trapped shoals scooped out. p.61. Several edible varieties of fern. Small areas of bush close to settlement cut and burnt for kūmara, taro, potato growing. Kūmara growing at Makawhio as late as 1900, along with Polynesian taro and several varieties of potato - repe, waitaha (kidney shaped) and kātote (a derwent) . p.62. Medicinal uses. Fern roots bandaged next to body to heal pains and aches. Toothache with juice of flax root. Canoes and outriggers made from tōtara, sails from woven flax.