Pari-one-taka: a deepening connection to place

At the start of our 70th year, we commenced a project to explore the Māori history of the Selwyn Village whenua dating back 725 years – known in those times as ‘Pari-one-taka’, meaning ‘the sandy crumbling cliffs’. In this, we were guided by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei cultural leader and tribal historian Joe Pihema and Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate and renowned craftsman and designer Carin Wilson.

Our research traced the whakapapa of the land from the earliest Māori arrivals through to the time of Bishop George Selwyn and the establishment of the village in 1954 by Auckland City Missioner Canon Douglas Caswell.

In revealing the past in this way, we learnt that the village land holds very important cultural and spiritual significance for mana whenua. This greater knowledge and understanding of the history of our whenua will inform our long-term village planning in ways that reflect kaitiakitanga/guardianship and deep respect for those who came before us.

A series of highly engaging presentations were held for residents, staff and the local community, with an accompanying full-colour publication also designed and launched during our 2025 Founders’ Day commemorations, which can be downloaded below.

view the pari one taka booklet