Who knew Kaitaia had a lake?

NATURE'S BOUNTY: A shooting party on Lake Tangonge, 1912.

Lake Tangonge, which once covered much of the flat land between Kaitaia's western edge (Pukepoto Road) and the dunes of 90 Mile Beach, is almost beyond living memory.

It was drained in the 1920s, and while it briefly reappears from time to time after heavy rain it bears no resemblance to what it once was.

The only tangible acknowledgement that it was ever there are the names Lake Road and Tangonge Crescent in Kaitaia.

Te Rarawa, in conjunction with Ngai Takoto and with support from Pukepoto Primary School, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori Pukemiro and Kaitaia College, took a major step towards rectifying that last week with the mounting of a comprehensive display in the atrium at Te Ahu.

TELLING A STORY: Wendy Henwood putting the final touches to the Lake Tangonge display at Te Ahu.

Just how long the display would remain wasn't clear on Friday, but hopefully it will stay there for some little time given the work that went into it and the revelation it will be for many who see it.

Lake Tangonge once covered some 700 acres, perhaps 1000 after heavy rain, and supported a significant array of wildlife.

These days it is basically farm land, albeit with a wedge of some 125 hectares that is protected by the Department of Conservation. That island is still home to a number of native species, and Te Rarawa hopes there will be more, in numbers and variety, in years to come.

The work that is taking place now and is planned for the future is inspired by Te Rarawa's Treaty settlement process, due for final completion in July.

Waikarere Gregory said there would be no disruption to farming of the land, but fencing and riparian planting was planned to protect some areas, after which, to a great extent, habitat restoration would "take care of itself".

Nothing would happen overnight, she added though, the iwi and those directly involved accepting that it would be a 100-year project.