The parāoa (sperm whale) jawbones displayed in the foyer of Rangitāne House carry immense cultural significance. They originate from a 17-metre, 25-tonne young male whale that stranded near the mouth of the Awatere River in 2009. These taonga serve as a tangible reminder of the enduring connection Rangitāne has with te taiao and the responsibilities we uphold as kaitiaki.
When the parāoa stranded on the east coast, Rangitāne upheld tikanga and ensured it was treated with utmost respect. It was agreed that the Department of Conservation (DoC) would safeguard the jawbones until Rangitāne and Ngāti Kurī/Ngāi Tahu reached a decision on their final allocation.
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 Kurī/Ngāi Tahu. This breach of process disregarded the mana of Rangitāne and obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, prompting legal proceedings. The High Court ruled in favour of Rangitāne, finding that our interests had not been properly considered and that decision was unlawful. The ruling reaffirmed that any decisions regarding these taonga must follow a tikanga-based process.
Following the court’s judgment, Rangitāne and Ngāti Kurī/Ngāi Tahu reached a mutual agreement ensuring that both iwi share the jawbones and teeth in a way that honours our respective rights.
The jawbones were formally unveiled at Rangitāne House on 17 June 2025, a date of deep historical resonance. On that day in 1840, Rangitāne Rangatira Ihaia Kaikōura signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi at Horahora-Kākahu (Port Underwood). On 17 June 2013, Rangitāne House was officially opened by Hon. Chris Finlayson and Rangitāne. And in 2019, our beloved Uncle Taane MacDonald planted a karaka tree in front of Rangitāne House, leaving a living legacy that continues to grow strong and remind us of his aroha and guidance.
These taonga now stand proudly within our whare as enduring symbols of our strength and resilience, and our ongoing journey as kaitiaki.