Stories of the Land: Ngāti Awa’s Relative Height Map

Discover the Ngāti Awa Relative Height Map, uncovering its stories, waterways, flood risks, and geomorphological features across the rohe. (Please allow time for the maps to load)

Stories of the Land: Ngāti Awa’s Relative Height Map

The landscapes of Aotearoa (New Zealand) are rich with stories—tales of formation, resilience, and connection that span centuries. For Ngāti Awa the land is not just a physical presence but a living repository of history and mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge). The Relative Height Map (RHM) project, presented above as an interactive ESRI StoryMap, brings these stories to life while offering practical tools for understanding and preparing for natural hazards.

What Is the Relative Height Map?

The RHM provides a visual representation of the Rangitāiki floodplain, a dynamic and historically rich landscape shaped by rivers, coastal processes, and human activity. Unlike traditional maps, the RHM uses colour gradients to highlight subtle differences in elevation relative to the nearest waterway, offering a unique perspective on the geomorphology of the floodplain. From areas lower than the rivers (marked in dark red) to higher regions (shaded in green), the map reveals features like ancient coastal dunes, historic waterways, and low-lying swamps—all of which play critical roles in the floodplain’s story.

The StoryMap: A New Lens for Viewing the Landscape

The interactive StoryMap titled “Stories of the Land: Ngāti Awa’s Relative Height Map” takes users on a journey through this landscape, combining science, technology, and storytelling. Starting with an aerial view of Ngāti Awa’s rohe, the StoryMap gradually zooms into the floodplain, revealing the interconnected rivers and the unique topographical features they have shaped over time.

As users explore, the StoryMap explains how these features relate to flood risk, cultural heritage, and the broader history of the land. For example, it highlights areas of historic flooding, showing how natural events have shaped the land and the lives of those connected to it. It also introduces the concept of relative elevation, helping users understand why certain areas are more vulnerable to hazards like floods or liquefaction.

A Platform for Knowledge and Resilience

The RHM StoryMap is more than just a tool for visualising data—it’s a bridge between traditional Māori knowledge and modern technology. While the current StoryMap focuses on geospatial and scientific insights, it holds immense potential for integrating mātauranga Māori. Future iterations could include stories of tūpuna (ancestors), cultural landmarks, and iwi perspectives, deepening the connection between the map and Ngāti Awa’s rich heritage.

For iwi members, the StoryMap serves as both a guide and a resource for resilience planning. By understanding the elevation data, users can better assess risks to their marae, homes, and resources, and develop strategies to protect them from natural hazards. The interactive format also empowers users to engage with the map actively, fostering a deeper connection to their environment.

Looking to the Future

While this StoryMap is a powerful step forward, it also marks the beginning of an ongoing journey. Further development could incorporate community stories, expand the map’s features, and enhance its role as an educational tool. By combining science and mātauranga Māori, Ngāti Awa can continue to build a resource that not only informs resilience planning but also celebrates and preserves the iwi’s relationship with the land.

“Stories of the Land: Ngāti Awa’s Relative Height Map” exemplifies how technology can be used to honour history, understand the present, and prepare for the future. As users explore the map, they are reminded that the land holds many stories—some written in its contours, others carried in the hearts of its people. Together, these narratives inspire resilience, connection, and a profound respect for the whenua (land) that sustains us all.