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Illustration

IN Part II of this history of the East Coast tribes, I have dealt only with those who are recognized as being of modern, or Hawaiki, origin, and have attempted to show with how little right they had claimed that line of descent.

I now propose to consider the origin of those tribes who live side by side with the Ngati-Porou, but who are well known as the descendants of Toi-kai-rakau, and also of other well known ancestors.

The ancient tribes of the Ngati-Porou district may, for the sake of convenience, be divided into three classes—

1st.—Those of whom only the name survives;

2nd.—Those of whom we have genealogies, but who cannot be said to exist as a tribe;

3rd.—Those who are yet to be found as independent tribes.

In the first of these classes are the Ngati-Rua-nuku, who, as related on page 32, vol. iv of this Journal, were exterminated by Tu-whakairi-ora and Paaka-nui. The account given by the Ngati-Porou concerning this tribe is as follows: When Porou-rangi died, his brother Tahu took the widow Hamo to wife, and by her had one, if not more, sons, one of whom was Rua-nuku. This boy was taken to the South Island, where he grew to manhood; but eventually was brought back by his father to Akuaku, to which place he had apparently some right, probably from Hamo, who was a descendant of Toi-kai-rakau. With him came a bodyguard of some South Island tribe, who are said to have been seventy in number. It is this heke from the South Island that subsequently adopted the name of their chief, and became the Ngati-Rua-nuku tribe; for it is not known that Rua-nuku himself left any descendants.

I have already placed on record the fate of this tribe, and will therefore pass on to the second class.

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This class is exemplified by the ancient tribe of Nga-Oho, whose genealogy is given in the appendix to this paper. The tribe is represented at the present day by the Ngati-Kahu-ngunu and Whanau-a-Apa-nui people, but the tribe itself no longer exists. They must not be confounded with the Arawa people, who were anciently known as Nga-Oho; probably because they were descended from the great ancestor Oho-mai-rangi. Nor are they identical with the northern Nga-Oho, who are descended from the Oho who came in the Tainui canoe, and whose sons were as follows:—

Family Tree. Oho, Kauwhaukia, Wai-mapuna, Rongo-te-po, Huhu-nui

But little is known of the Nga-Oho tribe at the present day, but there is good reason for supposing that they were a numerous tribe, even at the remote period of the arrival of the Arawa canoe.

The Arawa tradition is that Tahuwera, the ancestor of the Wai-taha-tu-rauta, came to New Zealand in the canoe Te-Whatu-a-ranga-nuku, and landed near the Wairarapa lake, where the people of that district tried to murder him and his crew. For this reason they marched by land to join the first migration of the Arawa. These men, seventy in number, were attacked at Hawa en route by the Nga-Oho, who were, however, beaten off by the Hawaiki tribe, who finally settled at or near Otama-rakau, a few miles east of Maketu, in the Bay of Plenty.

In Part II of this history of the East Coast tribes, I have mentioned that the Nga-Oho murdered Tamatea-araia of the Whanau-o-Rua-waipu in the Tihi-o-Manono pa, a short distance inland of the Kawakawa, near East Cape. The result of this murder was that her daughter, Tamatea-upoko, with her immediate followers, fled to the Nga-Tuere of Whangara, a little to the north of Gisborne. Others of that tribe submitted to the conquerors, and lived with them in a subordinate capacity.

From a Maori point of view, the mana of the whole country was now vested in the hands of Nga-Oho, but Tamatea-upoko had meanwhile become the wife of Ue-kai-ahu, chief of Ngai-Tuere, and this union was the first step in the inevitable revenge.

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For more than a generation the Nga-Oho were left in undisturbed possession of the country extending from the East Cape to Hicks' Bay, and thence inland to the dividing range. But when the sons of Ue-kai-ahu grew to manhood they exhibited such courage and capability in leading war-parties that the Ngai-Tuere resolved to follow them to Te Kawakawa, and there avenge the murder of Tamatea-areia.

To facilitate this movement, the younger of the three brothers—Punga-werewere—was sent out to spy out the land. He was, however, murdered by the Ngati-Ue-pohatu; and his brothers, after in vain awaiting his return, set out on their mission.

Only three chiefs are mentioned in connexion with this expedition, viz., Tama-koro, Ue-taha, and Tahania. The latter's descent is not now known, though he has many descendants at the present day. There were, however, many other chiefs with the war-party, such as Tuiti, Matua, and others of the Wahine-iti clan.

The ope marched overland, and at Hawa were attacked by the Ngati-Ira tribe, who were signally defeated. At Tokomaru the ancient Wahine-iti clan tried conclusions with them, but they also were well beaten; and lastly the Ngati-Ue-pohatu attacked the sons of Tamatea-upoko, and were severely punished for the murder of Punga-werewere.

These little affairs, however serious, were only collateral to the general issue with the Nga-Oho, who were found occupying strong positions on the Kopua-pounamu and Karaka-tuwhero streams; their chief pa being the Tihi-o-Manono, a very ancient stronghold, situated between the Ahirau Block and the sea, and between the above-mentioned streams.

The contending tribes met near the Kawakawa,1 where Tama-koro, having previously instructed his followers, caused them to retreat rapidly, but in good order, up the Awatere River, where he had posted some women on the high lands, so as to be in a position to observe the pursuit and give him timely notice of any disorder in the Nga-Oho ranks. When the expected signal was given, the Ngai-Tuere turned and charged their enemy, killing the chiefs Tangi-karoro and Rakai-mako-nui. The Nga-Oho could not withstand the impetuosity of the charge, and were defeated: A second battle was fought on the same day, and again the Nga-Oho were defeated, losing the chiefs Mauri-oho and Te Awhenga. They now fled for their lives, and would seem to - 180 have lost heart, for the Tihi-o-Manono pa was taken by assault. The ope now moved towards the Karaka-tuwhero stream, and in that district captured the Tara-pohau and Puke-tapu pas. These successes abruptly severed the connexion of Nga-Oho with the Kawakawa lands; the survivors fled northwards, and, it is said, became incorporated with the Arawa tribes. Others were captured and became the slaves of their conquerors; and the same fate overtook certain of the descendants of Rakai-matapu, who was from the Rua-waipu tribe, but had joined the Nga-Oho and became involved in their defeat.

In the third class we have two tribes who were anciently of great importance, viz., the Whanau-o-Rua-waipu and the Ngati-Ue-pohatu. Of the first-named tribe, who once owned all the country lying between the Waiapu River and Whare-kaihika, there are now the following hapus extant:—

When the Ngati-Oho had been finally driven out of the country, the Kawakawa and Whare-kaihika lands were divided between the Ngai-Tuiti, Ngai-Tuere, and other sections of the force led by Tama-koro and Ue-taha; and these people intermarried with the independent hapus of Rua-waipu descent, who held the bush country inland of Horoera, namely the Ngati-Manu, Ngati-Rangi-topuni, and others. So that, at the present day, it is scarcely possible to find one person of the Whanau-o-Tu-whakairi-ora who is not also a descendant of Rua-waipu. As I have already shown, the chief Tu-whakairi-ora himself intermarried with these people, and owed his power to that union.

The genealogies of Ngati-Rakai-matapu, and of Ue-taha's daughter, Hine-rupe, will be seen in the appendix. The genealogy given below is that of Te Whanau-a-Kahu, who are from Tama-koro, the eldest son of Tamatea-upoko, and also from Tamatea-kui, a daughther of Ue-taha's:—

Concerning the Ngai-Tane, there is but little to be said. They are sometimes spoken of as Ngati-Mahanga, and occasionally as Ngati- - 181 Niwa; but their general name is Ngai-Tane, in recognition of the fact that they are descended from Kura-uwia, a son of Tane-tangia, who married Rehua. [See appendix.]

This tribe occupies both banks of the Maraehara River between Waiapu and the East Cape, and probably owe their existence as much to their own courage as they do to their relationship to Rua-taupare.

It was with this tribe that Tu-whakairi-ora for the most part defeated the Ngati-Rua-nuku and Wahine-iti tribes. They were for a time subservient to that chief, and were required to bring him occasional presents of choice food, such as birds and rats; but even in this capacity they did not hesitate to exhibit their fierce and defiant character. On one occasion it is said they carried the food on the points of their spears, and in this fashion laid the birds before Tu-whakairi-ora and Rua-taupare. The chief was certainly one of the last men to be bullied, but he none the less took the hint, and intimated to his wife that her vassals need not repeat their visit to Okau-whare-toa pa.

This tribe is more generally known under the modern name of Te Whanau-a-Umu-ariki, and they also hold the lands of their ancestors intact. These lands extend from the Reporua stream on the north to the boundary of Te Aitanga-a-Mate on the south, and thence inland to the dividing range, including the Hikurangi mountain, where, it is said, their ancestor Maui-potiki is buried.

That these people have retained their tribal mana is certain, but the fact seems due to the character of Umu-ariki, who was a noted warrior under Tu-whakairi-ora. His mana, courage, and ability he has transmitted to his descendants in a very remarkable degree. Hence they have kept their tribe together and have presented so bold a front that at the present day it cannot be said that they have been subservient to even the greatest chiefs of Ngati-Porou.

The Ngati-Ue-pohatu are essentially the descendants of Toi. but they are also entitled to claim other less known ancestors, as follows:—

Family Tree. Tauhinu, Tau-waha-kura =, Whakatau, Taheke-rau =, Hine-tawai, Hine-mauku-rangi =, Tai, Taiho =, Potai, Hine-kapua-rangi =, Nga-rangi-kauheke, Rangi-whakaoma =, Ue-pohatu, Te Waipipi, Kare

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Family Tree. Tuere-paka, Rangai-nui, Mata-whai-noa, Takihu, Mahara-rau, Hine-umu, Te Rangi-haea, Potiea, Hamo, Nga-ringa-matau, Marae-kura, Te Matenga, Pineaha-koia, (about 50 years old), Maire-hau, Umu-ariki, Te Rangi-kapu-tua, Kopare-huia, Takere, Pahoe, Rongo-mai-tapui, Rongo-tu-ki-waho, Eru Pahau, Hatana Pahau

It is not now known who were the ancestors of Tauhinu, but they were probably from Toi also, or, at any rate, from the Maui-potiki family, who, I believe, were in occupation of this island for at least ten generations previous to the arrival of the Arawa migration.

Illustration

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GENEALOGY OF THE MAUI PEOPLE OF THE EAST COAST.

Family Tree. (The figures show the generations from Maui-potiki.), 1 Maui-potiki, Rua-tanga-nuku, Tonga-rangi, Te Ohanga, 5 Puta-rere, Kauahi, Te Pua, Tore, Moko-uri, 10 Moko-tea, Te Auahi = Oho, Tahu, 5 Rongo, Tangaroa-a-whatu, Toi-kai-rakau, Tipu-ki-ruarangi, Puhi = Moe-ao, Pau-tara-riki, Tama-huru-manu, 15 Rongo-tope, Te Manu-tau-tahanga, Mamangu, Te Uru-rangi, 2Tu-ariki, 20 Tu-wahi-awa, Turi-rangi, Hika-kirau, Piha-roa, 25 Kapotu, Motu, Te Kai-taina, Te Kere-rangi, Tiketike, 30 Wikiriwhi Matehe, Mere Wikiriwhi, Hoani Matauru, Ngati-Porou tribe from Te-Upoko-Rehe of Ohiwa., Rere = Tau-nui, 15 Tato = Wanawana, Ira-manawa-piko = Hirahira, Tamatea-mai-tawhiti = Tu-kai-nanapia, Muri-whenua = Wai-puna-a-rangi, Tamatea Pokaiwhenua, 20 Whaene, Wharua-tai, 3Tu-tamure, Manu-taurehe, Rongo-te-ake, 25 Ure-kaka, Rua-wharo, Upoko-hapa, Huha-ingoingo, Tiputi, 30 Paki-hauora, Kanakana, Hipa-taki-rau, Te Whatu, 34 Hoera Poaka, Te Panenehu tribe., Kahu-ngunu, Kahu-kura-nui, Maru-te-reinga, Tamatea-toki-nui, Marua-haira, 25 Patu-kakariki, Mokai-tautini, Pito-pari, Rakau, Te Rau-o-te-huia, 30 Whakaki-te-rangi, Huhia, Tu-wharepa, Kereua, Te Hatete, Hori, 36 Pumipi Hori, (45 years old), Ngati-Whakahemo tribe., Rangi-nui, Tama-te-uru, Tama-titi, Ngutu-pango, Te Hemanga, 25 Kotii, Te Tiputipu, Tai-whanake, Hine-tama, Hikairo, 30 Ka-rongo-rangi, Kura-hapai-rangi, Kai-maua, Hineā, Hurunga, 35 Porou-rangi, Tamati Waka, Herewaka, Ngati-Porou tribe., =Oho, Rauru, Wawau, Awa-nui-a-rangi, Awa-roa, 10 Awa-tumaki-te-rangi, Pari-nui-te-ra, Ira-kewa, Awa-morehurehu, Takou-kura, Rongo-mai-ahu-rangi, Rua-te-waero, Te Rake, Rutanga, Ranga-hua, Pou, 15 Kahu-kura, Awa-a-te-rangi, Maiki-te-kura, Mai-kitea, Tuahanga-te-ao, 20 Pae-taku, Pae-kuku, Tu-te-ihonga, Rua-makina, Kea-roa, 25 Tu-rau-wha, Rakai-te-kura, Hine-i-ao, Taraia II, Hine-manu, 30 Tarahe, Tu-te-rangi, Tihi-rangi, Tu-monokia, Renata Kawepo, Ngati-Kahungunu tribe., Nga-puna-ariki-a-whatonga, Taha-titi, 10 Rua-tapu, Rakei-ora, Tama-ki-te-han, Tama-ki-te-ra, Tai-peha, 10 Tai-wananga, Kahu-kura, Marawa-i-te-rang, Whare-pa-tahi, Ruru-kino, 15 Turanga, 4Nuku-tere, Te Uruki-mai, Te Putanga, Kahu-kura-mihirangi, 20 Tawhiwhi = Rongokarai, Tama-toko-ao, Rongo-haua, Te Arairehe, Tama-whare-kura, 25 Rere-noa, Tu-rere-ao, Tu-kako, Ringa-tapu, Kahu, 30 Kopu, Himi Kopu, Ngai-turanga tribe of Te Waimana., 10 Apa, Rongo-te-whaiao, Rongo-te-ao-marama, Tuhia-te-tai, Arai-ara, 10 Po-tu-pari, Po-turi-ao, Manu-tohi-kura, Tane-ua-rangi, Paikea, Pokai—Rongo-mai-tuahu—Nga-pou-haere—Hakiri-o-te-rangi—Rongo-maiawhio, Pou-heni—Huturangi, Wahine-iti and Ngati-Pokai., Porou-rangi—Niwaniwa—Pou-heni, Tua-whiti, Rongo-mai-tuahu, Tama-huru-manu, 15 Rua-waipu, Para-whenua-mea, Tama-tauira, Huri-taheke, 15 Te Kohinu, Maunu-o-te-rangi, Tama-karoro, Te Waka-nui, Ue-pohatu, 20 Rahiri-waiau, Ta Paaka, Wairua, Tahito-rangi, Tama-rora, 25 Pona-tahi, Te Whare-unga, Te Mauri, Nga-kuku, Nga-rangi, 30 Eru Paata, Te Aungira, (60 years old), Ngati-Ue-pohatu tribe., 5Tama-ki-Hikurangi, Rakai-matapu, Tama-tauira, 20 Rongo-haere, Te Napu, Te Ao-tama-huaki, Rongo-putuputu, Taku, 25 Te Rua-rautahi, Whakauru, Te Waka-moana, Tokotoko-haruru, Tau-tu-hinga, 30 Te Rangi-huna, Rota, (40 years old), Ngati-Rakai-matapu tribe of Te Kawakawa., Tuaha-pare, Tamatea-upoko, 20 Ue-taha, Hine-rupe, Titirohia, Kapu-rangi, Tai-noho-ao, 25 Kahu-po, Te Awhi-rangi, Pihapiharau, Tapapa-rau, Marara-Hatea, 30 Piriniha Te Rito, (65 years old), Whanau-a-Hine-rupe tribe., Te Hopuhopu, Pāka, 20 Te Houkoro, Rehus, Te Rarawa, Taupiri-o-te-tau, Tamatea-mahanga, 25 Te Huaki, Mahanga, Te Ao-hanga-roa, Te Hapu-iti, Te Momo, 30 Te Uru-whiwhi, Te Kete-upoko, Te Puhi-iti, Te Ake-mana, Te Ruha, 35 Pine Haerewa, Hape Haerewa, Ngati-Mahanga and Ngai-Tane tribes., 15 Te Pakipaki, Te Hewahewa, Puhipuhi, Tainga-hue, Te Hoka-a-te-rangi, 20 Tama-tuira, Rangi-marere, Hamua, Ta-manuka, Tai-rahui, 25 Te Rama-roa, Here-wairua, Tama-ariki, Hewahewa, Tamehana, 30 Tama-whati, (50 years old), Ngati-Hamua section of Urewera tribe., 15 Rakei-ora, Puhou, Pou-te-aniwaniwa, Te Atea, Rongo-mai-rera, 20 Te Rahi-koia, Rongo-karai, Tama-toko-ao, Rongo-haua, Te Arai-rehe, 25 Te Patu-maunga, Mau-oho-nuku, Rangi-rue-hutu, Te Waenga, Matenga, 30 Tama-te-takoto, Rangi-whakahaerea, Kereru-te-Pukenui, Ngati-Rongokarai section of Urewera tribe., 15 Maru, Tapa = Ue-mua, Te Kato-a-tawake, Rangi-aniwaniwa, Tuhinga-ki-uta, 20 Te Ohonga, Tu-tapuae-kura, Te Kura-tapiri-rangi, Te Ika-puku, Rangi-tipu-ki-waho, 25 Tai-whakaea, Nuku, Paiaka, Te Hemahema, Te Pa-tarera, 30 Te Hamai-waho, Apa-nui, Te Ua-a-te-rangi, Hurinui Apa-nui, Ngati-Awa tribe of Whakatane.