MARANGATŪHETAUA

(ALSO KNOWN AS NGĀTI TŪ)

Tūkapua I is the source ancestor of Ngāti Tū. Tūkapua I is a direct descendant of Toi Kairakau, the famous navigator and seafarer who established his southernmost pā at the head of the Tangoio valley, aptly called the Pā-o-Toi. Descending through Toi’s son Awanuiarangi (of Ngāti Awa), a great grandson named Te Koaupari, came to Ahuriri from the Bay of Plenty. Tūkapua I is the great, great, grandson of Te Koaupari.

Although Tūkapua I is the source ancestor for Ngāti Tū, the name of the hapū is Ngāti Marangatūhetaua. The Hapū takes its name from Marangatūhetaua, its famous fighting chief in recognition of his many deeds and the respect that his people had for him. Marangatūhetaua is a descendant of Tūkapua I.

Ngāti Tū’s pā include Pukenui (at the head of Te Ngarue Stream), Te Pōhue, Motu-o-Rūrū at the junction of the Mangaone River and the Waikinakitangata Stream and Te Rae-o-Tangoio, an elevated promontory in the Tangoio valley which jutted into the (former) Tangoio lagoon, Whakaari and Ngamoerangi.

Ngāti Whakaari

Ngāti Whakaari is a section of Ngāti Tū that lived at Petane. Their founding chief is Whakaari. He is a descendant of the Ngāti Tū chief, Kohipipi through his son Te Kaupeka. The pā site Whakaari (also known as Flat Rock) is believed to have been named after the ancestor Whakaari.

Ngāi Te Aonui

Rangitirohia II of Ngāti Tū married Hinekahu of (a different) Ngāi Te Aonui based in the Wairoa district. Their son was Mutu, and their descendants also became known as Ngāi Te Aonui and were based at Moeangiangi. The source of their mana whenua was through Rangitirohia II. Over time, Ngāi Te Aonui was absorbed by Ngāti Tū through further intermarriage. Ngāi Te Aonui were also known to have occupied the pā Te Puku-o-te-Wheke at Arapawanui.

Ngāti Rangitohumare

Ngāti Rangitohumare takes its name from Rangitohumare, the first wife of Te Huki of Wairoa. Rangitohumare was born and raised at Oueroa pā in Heretaunga. They had numerous children, including Te Hauwaitanoa. Te Hauwaitanoa settled at Arapawanui and it is from Te Hauwaitanoa’s descendant, Toroa, that Ngāti Rangitohumare descend. A small hapū, Ngāti Rangitohumare was over time absorbed into Ngāti Tū through intermarriage. Ngāti Rangitohumare were known to have occupied the pā Te Puku-o-te-Wheke at Arapawanui.