Connecting with Ngāti Toa: A Cultural Day in Porirua

Last week the Kā te Rama Switched On Group and PAE New Zealand teams from Wellington and Trentham were invited by Ngāti Toa to spend the day visiting sites of cultural significance around Porirua. Ngāti Toa an iwi based around Kāpiti and Porirua in the southern North Island, and Marlborough and Blenheim in the northern South Island.

Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira are the governing body of the iwi, and the Switched On Group’s majority shareholder, building towards full ownership. The purpose of the day was to understand Ngāti Toa’s journey, their history, their connection to the land, and what shapes their vision today. Neil and Kawera from Ngāti Toa pulled the day together, creating an opportunity for our kaimahi to step onto the land, hear the stories directly, and better understand the history behind the region we work in.

Over the course of the day, our kaimahi travelled together by bus with a Ngāti Toa guide who shared the stories of the land and what these places mean to the iwi today.

The first stop was Whitireia Ngāti Toa’s maunga. This mountain is very important to Ngāti Toa due to its vantage point. From the top you can see along the Kāpiti Coast, down Wellington’s west coast and across Raukawa Moana (Cook Strait) to the South Island. This was a place of strength for their early ancestors as they due to this natural lookout point, they could see waka coming from the South Island into the Porirua harbour.

Te Awarua o Porirua is the full traditional name for Porirua Harbour.  “Awarua” means “two waters,” referring to the two tidal arms of the harbour. It was once a rich source of kaimoana and remains a taonga for Ngāti Toa today.

From there the tour headed to Rangituhi, the traditional name for Colonial Knob. Rangituhi means “Sky Glow,” as the area was once rich in native plants, birdlife and freshwater supporting daily life and providing natural resources for Ngāti Toa communities.

The day finished at Pāuatahanui and Battle Hill as another area of significance. In 1846 it was the site of one of the last conflicts with British forces where with leadership of Te Rangihaeata, Ngāti Toa defended their land from sites along the Battle Hill ridgeline.

Standing in those places brings a different perspective to the history it’s not just words in a book, it’s land with a story.

The day wasn’t only about what happened in the past. Our kaimahi also heard about the work Ngāti Toa are doing today supporting their whānau and mokopuna through education, housing, healthcare and business development.

What really stood out was how they see their ownership of PAE and Switched On Group. They view these businesses as a vehicle to help build long-term strength and opportunity for their people. Not just for today, but for generations to come.

This was a really insightful day for our kaimahi. Spending time on the land and hearing that directly made the connection real. It gave context and a new appreciation to who our shareholders are and what sits behind that investment. It also showed us that the work we do contributes in a practical way to supporting the communities we live and work in.

There’s something powerful about knowing you’re part of a business that is helping create real impact locally. That’s something we can all feel proud of.