Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2019) |
| Iwi (tribe) in Māoridom | |
 | |
| Waka (canoe) | Te Wakatūwhenua, Te Moekākara, Tainui, Te Arawa |
|---|---|
| Population | Unknown |
Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua is a Māori iwi from the area around the Manukau Harbour in the Auckland Region of New Zealand.
Historically, Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua were known as Te Ruakaiwhare, named after their tribal guardian Kaiwhare, who is the protector of the waters of the Manukau Harbour. The traditional rohe (territory) of Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua spans a wide region, including Waiuku, Glenbrook, Akaaka, Ōtaua, Te Puni, Whakaūpoko, Mauku, Patumāhoe, Pukekohe, Pukekura (Bombay), Paerātā, Waiau Pā, Clark's Beach, Karaka, Puhitahi (Kingseat), Āwhitu Peninsula, Huia and the Waitākere Ranges.
The iwi derives its name from the renowned Te Waiohua chieftainess, Te Ata-i-Rehia, the granddaughter of Huakaiwaka, the founding chief of Te Wai-o-Hua, and the daughter of Huatau. Born on Matukutūreia (McLaughlin's Mountain) in the Manukau area, Te Ata-i-Rehia’s whenua (placenta) was ceremonially buried at its peak. She married Tapaue, a chief of Ngāti Mahuta, who was tragically killed after securing control of a stretch of the Waikato River from Taupiri to Port Waikato. His death was avenged by their son, Pāpaka, who, with the help of his half-brother Te Putu and cousin Te Wehi from Aotea Harbour (Tapaue’s grand-nephew and son-in-law), reclaimed Waiuku for Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua.
In 1840, Te Wairākau, a respected woman of Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua, signed the Treaty of Waitangi. Alongside her, several key Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua chiefs, including Aperahama Ngākāinga, Te Awarahi Te Katipa, and Te Tāwha, signed the Treaty on the shores of Manukau Harbour. Approximately a month later, another seven Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua chiefs also signed the Treaty at the same location.
Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua comprises 20 hapū (sub-tribes), with its ancestral roots tracing back to the union of Huakaiwaka and Te Rauwhakiwhaki, the founding ancestors of Te Waiohua. These ancestors are the original inhabitants of Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), having resided in the region for many centuries.
From this union came Huatau, a powerful Waiohua chieftainess who held dominion over the lands surrounding Ngā Matukurua, Matukutūreia (McLaughlin's Mountain), and Matukutūruru (Wiri Mountain) during the late 17th century. Huatau's influence is still deeply felt across the region, with places like St Mary's Bay and Shelley Beach near Point Erin on the Waitematā Harbour bearing historical significance. These areas were originally known as 'Te Onemaru o Huatau' – "The Sheltered Beach of Huatau," a lasting tribute to her enduring legacy.
Huatau married Kawahi of Ngā Iwi and Ngāti Huiau, and from this union, Te Ata-i-Rehia was born near the peak of Matukutūreia. Te Atairehia’s brother, Huarangi, commanded the Ngā Matukurua pā, with his sons Tamapāhure and Tamapāhore. This hapū became known as Ngāti Huatau, the descendants of Huatau.
The principal marae of Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua is Tāhuna Kaitoto Pā, located near Te Pae o Kaiwaka (Waiuku Estuary). This marae is the oldest living marae in Auckland, serving as a vital cultural and ancestral hub for the iwi.
Notable Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua descendants include:
[edit]- Eva Rickard
- Henare Kaihau
- Keisha Castle-Hughes
- Maewa Kaihau
- Maia Wilson
- Ngāneko Minhinnick
- Te Ururoa Flavell
- Troy Flavell
- Tuku Morgan
- Winston Reid
See also
[edit]References
[edit]
 | This article related to the Māori people of New Zealand is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |