Discover the fascinating and surprising stories of Māori trade, migration and heritage since 1793 on a Poihākena Tour.
Poihākena tours take place on Gadigal Country – always has been, always will be. This anniversary tour on April 15th commemorates the 222nd anniversary of the first documented record of Māori arrival in Australia.
Tuki Tahua and Ngahuruhuru were kidnapped by the British and arrived in Sydney on April 15th 1793. The following years saw Māori establish a strong economy of trade with NSW, enabling the survival of the fledging Colony.
Poihākena is the Māori word for Port Jackson – Sydney. Poihākena Tours take place in The Rocks where Māori have lived, loved, traded, worked, died and visited for over 200 hundred years.
Local stories shared include those of whaler Richard Byrne Junior, his Māori wife and the pounamu (greenstone) chisel revealed near the foundations of Byrne’s house on the Cumberland St Archaeological Dig site in 2012.
Kotahi Tourism Director Hohepa Ruhe says to expect a whole new perspective on The Rocks and Australian history, “Poihakena tours give a voice to the stories of our Māori ancestors and family who came here before us. One in five Māori now live in Australia and these stories are a reminder of our strong connection to Australia and our history and heritage here”.
Led by Māori guides, Poihākena tours include stories, waiata (song); visits to the archaeological dig site where taonga (cultural treasures) have been revealed and The Rocks Discovery Museum to see taonga exhibited, and a walk down Māori Lane. Hāngi lunch is an optional extra.
The anniversary tour is part of the 2015 National Trust Heritage Festival and will be held 222 years to the day that Tuki Tahua and Ngahuruhuru sailed into Port Jackson. April 15th also marks the first anniversary of Poihākena tours, which were launched with a celebration of Koori and Māori culture in 2014.
Tour details
When: Wednesday April 15th 2015
Time: 11am – 1pm
Cost: Adult $39 Child $25
Where: Tours depart from Campbells Cove, The Rocks.
Tours also run most Saturdays 11am – 1pm and can be booked for exclusive groups and schools anytime.
