The Waitaha people were people of peace and were thought by some to be the first inhabitants of New Zealand.

The Waitaha people lived in the South Island in harmony with nature – helping to nurture the natural ecosystems and sustain life.

The Waitaha people follow in the footsteps of Rongomataeroa – god of peace, and were and industrious community with and emphasis on memory, in order to pass on treasured stories and traditions.

The Waitaha nation is more than 2000 years old and was learned in nature, psychology, religion, peace and astronomy.