Resting quietly off a busy road near the Hutt River’s mouth lies Owhiti Urupā. This is no ordinary plot of land. This is a place steeped in history and tradition.
Owhiti Urupā is a Māori burial ground or urupā. Its story stretches back far beyond the oldest visible graves from the 1880s. The site was once a pā.
Konga Reriti is the principal kaitiaki of Owhiti Urupā. He is a guardian. He safeguards the knowledge of those buried here. He understands the correct burial practices for this sandy, riverside location. Konga passes this knowledge to younger generations working alongside him.
Born in Waiwhetū pāpākāinga, Konga was raised knowing his birth family. His whāngai father, Manu Reriti, was an urupā kaitiaki before him. Konga recalls being a young child helping his father. He learned to care for the urupā from the age of four or five.
In the 1960s, Konga and other young men worked with elders. They cleared gorse, mowed grass, and maintained the site. Over time Konga became the “go to” man. Elders passed away. He knew who was buried where, including those in unmarked graves. Simple memorials of shells, stones, or plain white crosses disappeared over time.
Konga carries the records in his head. He explains that a written record existed but is now outdated. When a tangi or funeral occurs, families seek his guidance. If they wish to bury their loved one above an ancestor, he ensures it happens properly. He advises whānau on funeral arrangements. He helps them navigate dealings with funeral directors. He assists with preparations for the unveiling a year or so later. Konga considers it an honor to be involved.
Owhiti Urupā is also the final resting place of Wi Hapi Pakau. He was a Te Ati Awa Chief born in 1797. He died on April 22, 1897. Wi Hapi Pakau belonged to Ngati Te Whiti and Te Matehou hapu of Te Ati Awa. He fought in the defense of Otaka in 1832. He later signed the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. He was also a master carver. His Tauihu carving is held at Te Papa.
Owhiti Urupā stands as a testament to enduring traditions. It is a connection to the past. It is a place of respect, remembrance, and the ongoing cycle of life.