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Whenua Hou is a vitally significant place to Ngai Tahu, Ngati Mamoe and Waitaha,
the wider Ngai Tahu whanui connecting with this island on spiritual, physical and
cultural levels.
This connection is largely due to the settlement that existed at Sealers Bay between about 1820 and 1850, made up of european sealers and their Maori partners. Many Ngai Tahu families descend from these relationships, the Sealers Bay settlement being the first permanent association between Maori and european in southern New Zealand.
Whenua Hou plays a vital role as the place from where many Ngai Tahu can trace their whakapapa, as descendants of the early unions between Ngai Tahu women
and european sealers.
These Ngai Tahu “founding mothers” are represented in carvings advised by Te Au Davis (aunt Daisy) and carved by artist Cliff Whiting at Te Rau Aroha marae, Bluff. The mauri, or life force of Whenua Hou, is very significant to Ngai Tahu’s spiritual relationship with the island.