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Janice
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3318 W: 149 N: 6113]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (18646) | Pikao (or Pingao) the Golden Sand Sedge
Desmoschenus spiralis
Kia tipu tonu koutou, ake ake ake!
May you grow on forever and ever.
We have an English cousin staying in NZ for this week, and today we drove him to the west coast of Auckland and then northeast back to the east coast where we live. It was around 150kms for the complete circle. We stopped at two of Auckland’s popular wild west coast beaches, Karekare, known for the place where the film “The Piano” was filmed about 10 years ago; and Piha, well known for its black sand, its wild weather and large surf.
As you enter Piha the coastal view from the road is dramatic and is often referred to as a west coast icon, in particular the solitary Lion rock (Whakaari). See Workshop
The black sand of Piha is VERY hot to walk on in summer. Today it was very windy, as you can see by the angle of the grasses growing on the sand dune here. The grass is Pikao (or Pingao) the Golden Sand Sedge. Here is a Maori version of the story of pikao.
The Seaweed Children
Pikao is one of the seaweed children on the fringes of the sea. From her home she looked up to the land and saw the young and handsome kakaho dancing on the sand dunes. Each time the kakaho made his appearance Pikao became more and more enamoured. Finally she asked permission from Takaroa to leave the sea to meet her lover. Takaroa granted her permission with words of warning that she would never make it.
However driven by blind love, she left the seaweed and crawled across the hot sand. As she struggled up she began to call to the kakaho - but he was interested only in himself. He was in love with his own shape and did not answer pikao's calls. In desperation she called back to Takaroa, who could do nothing but shower her with spray. And there on the sand dunes, the pingao remains to this day.
The children of papa-tu-a-nuku however intervened in the story, and they harvested the pikao and the kakaho and united them in the tukutuku panels on the walls of the wharenui. Each whatu or stich on the tukutuku is known as a living eye and represents a link from the tribal ancestors to the unborn of tomorrow.
www.doc.govt.nz
There you are friends, some Maori words for you to learn. Just take them slowly and pronounce then as you see them spelt!! (Sort of!) I’ll test you on them next week. Okay? |
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Janice
(18646)
Piha with Lion Rock
Edited by:Janice
(18646) |
This is Piha beach, on Auckland's wild west coast. As you enter Piha the coastal view from the road is dramatic and is often referred to as a west coast icon, in particular the solitary Lion rock (Whakaari). Surfing is very popular here, but also many people have drowned over the years, often by swimming outside the flags for the life savers, and also when standing on the rocks fishing.
Enjoy! |
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