Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti
 |
| Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti | |
|---|---|
| Iwi (tribe) in Māoridom | |
 | |
| Rohe (region) | East Coast of the North Island |
| Waka (canoe) | Tereanini, Tākitimu, Horouta |
Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti is a traditional iwi occupying the area from Tawhiti-a-Paoa Tokomaru Bay to Te Toka-a-Taiau Gisborne on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand.
Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti comprises over fifty hapu: from Te Whanau-a-Te Aotawarirangi the northern hapu Tokomaru Bay to Ngati Oneone the southern hapu Gisborne.
Many can trace their whakapapa back to waka that include Takitimu and Horouta in the Tairawhiti Region; as well as to the famous ancestor Paikea. However, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti trace their whakapapa from Rongomaituaho, grandson of Uenuku and son of Kahutiaterangi, who captained the waka named Tereanini.[citation needed]
Titirangi Maunga is the revered mountain of the iwi.
The sacred river is Uawa-nui-a-Ruamatua dividing the township Tolaga Bay and Hauiti.
About the 16th century, following major political and social upheavals between the three brothers Taua-Ariki, Mahaki-Ewe-Karoro and Hauiti. Hauiti eventually stamped his mana over Uawa (Tolaga Bay) as it is known to many local inhabitants; hence the title of the major tribal group in this area Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, meaning the descendants of Hauiti.[citation needed]
Local hapu and the Hauiti ariki Whakatataare-o-te-rangi encountered the British explorer Captain James Cook in 1769; including Tupaia the Tahitian who accompanied Cook on his voyage around the pacific.
The Hauiti ariki Te Kani-a-Takirau was offered in 1854 the Kingite Crown, an honour he politely and wisely declined.[citation needed]
Marae
One of Te Aitanga a Hauiti's more famous marae steeped in Māori history is Te Poho-o-Rawiri of Ngati Oneone situated in Gisborne.
The origins of Rongowhakaata the eponymous ancestor is traced to the area occupied by Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti.
Hauiti married the daughter of Rongowhakaata named Kahukura-iti.
Notable members
Notable members of the tribe include:
- Parekura Horomia, Member of Parliament for Labour
- Harry Ngata, former All Whites soccer player
- Waimarama Taumaunu, former Silver Ferns netballer
- John Walsh, artist
- Robyn Kahukiwa, artist
See also
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