MEDIA RELEASE
Reflecting on the History of Takiri
KAPITI COAST, TUESDAY 23 MAY 2017 - An intimate blessing at Coastlands’ Takiri House, acted as an important remembrance and reflection of the history of
Takiri and Coastlands within the Kapiti community.
The blessing, a He Whakatūwheratanga Whare, or An Opening of a House/ Facility, was performed by Ben Ngaia and aimed to
acknowledge the facility, its location, significance to mana whenua (the local iwi), Te Āti Awa as well as the
historical significance regarding the land in which this site rests. This was a particularly important blessing for the
whānau descendants, as it was the land of their kuia (elder), who was much loved throughout the Kāpiti district.
Takiri House, named after the late Takiri Love, was an original Coastlands shareholder. Takiri Akuhata Love was born in
Paraparaumu 1900, her parents were Ruhia Epiha and Akuhata Eruini of Te Atiawa Ki Whakarongotai descent. Takiri’s mother
Ruhia died when Takiri was three years of age and Takiri was raised by Ruhia’s sister Pirihia Epiha, known to the family
as Neni Haramate.
Takiri succeeded Māori land shares from both Ruhia and Pirihia in the Kapiti district. During the 1930- 1960’s Māori
land was greatly sought after for development of Paraparaumu, including the airport and town centre land. It was a
difficult time for Māori landowners balancing their commitment to preserving their lands for future generations and
meeting the pressure to release land for sale, or having blocks taken under the Public Works Act.
With the support of her family and the agreement from the other whānau shareholders Takiri consolidated her shares
through the Māori Land Court into a single block on which the Coastlands Mall was built.
Takiri’s husband Matiu Love, her son Tutini Love, her daughter Poiria Love Erskine and currently her granddaughter
Takiri Cotterill have each been Directors of the Coastlands Board.
Takiri Love inheritance stems from the historical association of Te Āti Awa in its establishment of mana whenua rights
throughout the Waikanae and Paraparaumu areas from the period of settlement in 1822 onwards. Wharemauku Pā was a village
in which Ngāti Puketapu hapū, a sub-tribe of Te Āti Awa, resided. The descendants of Tākiri Love are also the
descendants of those ancestors who established these rights.
“There is an important spiritual, emotional, physical and environmental connection to this area, important to
acknowledge. In the past Coastlands has blessed the land with family and buried rocks from Taranaki under the building
and also blessed the buildings when they were completed,” says Richard Mansell, Coastlands Director.
The ceremony, an initiative driven by the whānau of Tākiri Love themselves, exemplifies the strong relationship the
family have with the other shareholder families and Māori Trust partners. These are the relationships that have made
Coastlands Shopping Town such a significant part of Paraparaumu’s Town Centre and the Kāpiti community.
Coastlands, a family owned business since 1969 has over 100 local shareholders. Housing over 120 businesses, Coastlands
provide over 1,500 local jobs and donate over $100,000 back to the community annually. Coastlands have previously funded
several community projects including, The Kapiti Arts Performing Centre, The Coastlands Aquatic Centre, and The
Coastlands Kapiti Sports Turf.
ENDS.