"Hutia te rito Hutia te rito te harekeke, kia hea te koromiko e ko"

"If the centre shoot of the flax is pulled out, the flax will die leaving no place for the bellbird to sing"

For centuries Tahi has been a home to people, and the land is culturally loaded with archaeological remains from both Maori and early European occupation.

Originally Ohuatahi was an important Pa (town) for the local area, and the remains of their pa sites, living areas, kumara pits and middens, of the Te Waiariki, the earliest inhabitants, can all still be seen and are all protected.

During European times Tahi was in turn used for logging - (the large kauri trees), dairy, ostrich farming and before 'Tahi' a run down cattle farm.

With the transformation that is currently taking place, the vital spirit of the land is returning - heralded by the flocks of birds reappearing, and echoed by each wave as it pounds the shore; just as the Maori god of the sea - Tangaroa once called for there to be light.

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