Culture and Peace -Tours

Nunuku's Law

"From now and forever, never again let there be war as this day has seen!’

This covenant, known as Nunuku’s Law, was accompanied by Nunuku’s Curse:

‘May your bowels rot the day you disobey’.

This covenant of peace has been in force on Rekohu for hundreds of years. 

Moriori demonstrated their commitment to this creed when faced with unprovoked aggression in 1835.

As a result, cannibalism, slavery and certain death awaited them.

 It is the descendants of those same people that suffered under the invading forces, that are alive today and are behind the re-emergence of the Moriori culture.

Promoting the articles of peace that their ancestors lived by is central to the re-awakening of this ancient culture.

Peace tours

Based at Te Kopinga Marae, Rekohu Peace tours offers a range of experiences that will enable you to understand the culture of Moriori and see examples of their peaceful existence and history that no other race on earth has encompassed so well.

The early history of Moriori was full of upheaval with inter-tribal warfare and aggression playing a major part in everyone's lives.

After Moriori migrated to Rekohu, the harsh environment and limited population required community cooperation for their very survival. A second migration to the islands threatened to upset the delicate balance there, so Nunuku, one of the chiefs, made his proclamation, now known as Nunuku's law.

Since that time, some 7-800 years ago, and in spite of Moriori warriors still retaining weapons and training, no more killing occurred. The People developed into their own family/tribal units, spread out over the islands and still maintained boundaries and rights to specific resources, without bloodshed.

In 1835, two Maori tribes from the Te Ati Awa Iwi of Taranaki, dispossessed of their own lands, came to Rekohu. After resting and regaining their strength, they took possession of the land and everything and everyone on it, apart from the few Europeans who stood by and anxiously watched...........

The feathers of peace symbolise Moriori's commitment to peace.

The white feather from the 'Hopo' or Albatross is worn at the back of the head

• Accommodation at Kopinga Marae (either using the cooking facilities yourself, or having evening meals at Chatham Lodge or Hotel Chathams) or,
• Accommodation at Chatham Lodge.
• Cultural immersion at Kopinga (A range of documentaries, books and films about Rekohu and Moriori)
• Opportunities to discuss the history of Moriori with Moriori
• Visits to significant historical sites: (Hapupu, Rangiaika, Te Awapatiki, Kiangaroa, Lagoon, Waitangi Beach, Whangaroa)
• History lessons at the Marae: (From a Moriori perspective)
• Scenic tours of the Chatham Islands
• Day Trip to Pitt Island: (subject to weather and availability)
• Scenic Flights around all of the outlaying islands: (subject to weather and availability)

Call Kopinga Marae today and enquire about our range of Peace Tours

Contact Kopinga Marae on 03 3050 450

Fax: 03 3050454

or Email: tekopinga@xtra.co.nz