A tiny, unassuming bird that flies non-stop from New Zealand to northern China is one of many ancient bonds to be celebrated at this weekend's inaugural Taniwha & Dragon Festival at Auckland's Ōrākei Marae.
Published: Rāmere, 26 Paengawhāwhā, 2013 | Friday, 26 April 2013
A tiny, unassuming bird that flies non-stop from New Zealand to northern China is one of many ancient bonds to be celebrated at this weekend's inaugural Taniwha & Dragon Festival at Auckland's Ōrākei Marae.
“New Zealand is better known for its flightless bird the Kiwi, but the amazing story of the Godwit is equally inspiring. Flying without a single break for thousands of kilometres over several days this tiny record holder still outdoes all human-made aircraft when it comes to long distance, non-stop flight,” says Estella Lee, Chinese Conservation Education Trust chair.
Known in China as 斑尾塍鹬 and in Māori as the Kuaka, the tiny birds began arriving at Yalu Jiang during this month's NZ trade and cultural mission to China. With departure points across New Zealand, thousands leave from the Miranda Sanctuary on the Firth of Thames as well as the far north, Te Rerenga Wairua or Spirits Bay. A hugely sacred place, this is the departure point for Māori souls back to ancestral homelands. Godwits cross the Pacific in 7-days and head to Yalu Jiang – their journey the longest non-stop flight of any bird on earth.
“Māori ties to China were forged by voyaging tūpuna who left Asia millennia ago, writing the final chapter in the story of human exploration and settling a third of the surface of the planet over 80 generations. Our ancestors followed many guides from nature including the southern migrating Kuaka, the Ban Wai-Cheng Yu,” said Te Puni Kōkiri chief executive Michelle Hippolite.
“This bird traces the journeys of Māori and Polynesian ancestors back to Asia, back thousands of miles and thousands of years - forever linking the peoples of New Zealand to the peoples of China.”
New Zealand’s Chinese Conservation Education Trust and Miranda Naturalists’ Trust are working on projects to raise awareness of the importance of the area and the Godwits. In the past Ms Lee has watched the Godwits depart from Aotearoa and then flown to northern China to watch them arrive after their trans-Pacific flight.
“I feel privileged to have had this amazing experience and to work on some of the Miranda Godwit projects that aim to help sustain this wonderful bird,” she said.
The world’s first Māori-Chinese cultural celebration, the Taniwha & Dragon Festival will be held in Auckland on Saturday 27 April, hosted by Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei, it is the culmination of kōrero amongst marae leaders, Auckland Chinese community leaders and Māori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples. The day will include a traditional Māori welcome or pōwhiri to formally acknowledge the Chinese community in New Zealand.
“The Kuaka, Ban Wai Cheng-Yu (斑尾塍鹬) or Godwit symbolises ancient kinship bonds to Asia. Their amazing flight reminds us of our incredible ancestors and their amazing achievements: the flight of this bird remains an inspirational touchstone for Māori and Polynesian peoples,” said Mrs Hippolite.
“It is fitting that as our Taniwha and Dragon Festival opens – Kuaka, Ban Wai Cheng-Yu (斑尾塍鹬) or Godwits will be arriving in northern China.”
Ms Lee says Beijing’s Ministry of Forests has written to the Auckland Branch of the NZ China Friendship Society undertaking to try to protect the Yalu Jiang wetlands in Liaoning province. The seven page letter asked for specific suggestions to make protection more effective. The letter was personally sought on behalf of the Auckland branch by former Consul Long Yangping. Ms Lee says the trust is grateful for the support.
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