Whale jawbones officially welcomed

A significant date for Rangitāne has become even more significant with the official reveal of parāoa (sperm whale) jawbones displayed.

At the reveal on Tuesday evening last week, Rangitāne o Wairau general manager Corey Hebberd and Dr Peter Meihana shared some of the background history to the circumstances around the bones’ return and the importance of June 17 for the iwi.

The jawbones and teeth come from a 17-metre, 25-tonne young male that washed ashore near the mouth of the Awatere River in 2009. It became controversial after being moved by the Department of Conservation to Ngāti Kuri.

“When this whale stranded, Rangitāne followed tikanga, acknowledging the sacred nature of the event and ensuring proper respect was given and it was agreed DoC would safeguard the jawbones until Rangitāne and Ngāti Kuri/Ngāi Tahu reached a decision on their final allocation”, said Corey.

“However, in 2022, without consulting or informing Rangitāne, DoC made the decision to allocate these taonga and transported them to Kaikōura, where they were handed over to Ngāti Kuri/Ngāi Tahu.

“This action disregarded Rangitāne’s mana and violated the Crown’s Treaty obligations, prompting legal action by Rangitāne against the Crown, and the High Court ruled in our favour, confirming that Rangitāne interests had not been properly considered.

“After the court’s judgment, Rangitāne and Ngāti Kuri worked together to reach a mutually beneficial agreement, ensuring that both iwi share the jawbones and teeth in a way that honours our respective rights.”

The deal struck between Rangitāne and Ngāti Kuri meant the sperm whale bones from the animal stranded in 2009 at the mouth of the Awatere River became the responsibility of Rangitane, while Ngāti Kuri received the bones from a 2018 stranding on Marfells Beach.

While the bones were welcomed back to the iwi late in 2024, Dr Peter Meihana said they wanted to give another reason of significance.

“The jawbones were officially unveiled at Rangitāne House on 17 June, 2025 — a date rich in historical meaning.

“On 17 June, 1840, Rangitāne Rangatira Ihaia Kaikōura signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi at Horahora-Kākahu (Port Underwood), and on 17 June, 2013, Rangitāne House was officially opened by Hon. Chris Finlayson and Rangitāne iwi.

“We always look to share something to the public around this date, with displays opening at Te Kahu o Waipuna over this time of the year, and this is another reason to acknowledge our history and responsibilities on this date.

The display includes a plaque with the story of the bones, while the bones were protectively coated by Forbes Panel & Paint and mounted in Rangitāne House’s foyer thanks to Cuddon.

“While there is still much work ahead to protect our rights and culturally significant sites across our rohe”, summarised Corey, “this was a moment to reflect on what we have achieved together.”