All of Darfield High School’s enrolment zone falls within the takiwā of Te Taumutu Rūnanga, based at Ngāti Moki Marae, Taumutu. While Te Taumutu Rūnanga and Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri (traditionally based at the Kaiapoi Pā) have shared interests in the DHS area, Te Taumutu is recognised as the kaitiaki of the educational institutions in the district, so we follow their tikanga practices as appropriate to our school.

The Malvern area is situated within a traditional network of Ngāi Tahu settlements and mahinga kai areas spread across the central part of Kā Pākihi Whakatekateka o Waitaha (the Canterbury Plains), which are of particular significance to Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki, as well as Ngāi Tūāhuriri. This network played an important role in traditional lifeways and remains significant to the heritage and ongoing identity of mana whenua. These places include numerous wāhi tapu and wāhi taonga such as pā (fortified villages), kāinga (villages), urupā (burials), ara tawhito (trails) as well as mahinga kai. Collectively, these places, along with their associated creation, migration and settlement traditions, form a cultural landscape which reflects the ongoing and enduring relationship Ngāi Tahu have with the land.

Of particular importance to this network were the travelling routes leading over Kā Tiriti o Te Moana (The Southern Alps) to Te Tai Poutini (the West Coast) which allowed the trade of valuable resources such as pounamu, which was a precious taonga to Ngāi Tahu.

The numerous mahinga sites spread along this journey were an integral part of this network in facilitating movement between the coasts while also providing important seasonal food sources.
Further information on our mana whenua, Te Taumutu Rūnanga, can be found on their website.