Te Whanau o Tauwhao

13.       The background to Te Whanau o Tauwhao arises from the battles involving Pirirakau and Ranghouhiri.

14.       The face of Tauranga Moana went through massive changes as a result of the settling of Tauranga Moana by the “waka invaders”, namely Ngai Te Rangi. During this time of confusion and fear, the old peoples of Ngati Potikitiki and Nga Marama made overtures to many chiefs of Marutūāhu.

15.       One of the results of this was that the peoples of Pirirakau and Te Whanau o Tauwhao were protected by, and intermarried with Marutūāhu. In being provided with a safe haven, these peoples were able to remain in contact with their original places. Also, Marutūāhu had their mana and ahi ka supported by these groups.

Killing of pigs

16.       The return by Te Moananui and Marutūāhu after the Nga Puhi invasions continued our ahi kaa at Katikati. The killing of the pigs of Ngai Te Rangi by my tupuna proved this under tikanga Maori.

AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE

17.       There are many important wahi tapu and other significant sites of Ngati Tamaterā and Marutūāhu at Katikati / Matakana.

18.       One of the old maps (Map 9 in the historical report of Mr T Walzl) shows Maori names along the “northern Katikati confiscation boundary” at Katikati. These names and sites are important to Ngati Tamaterā and Marutūāhu as follows:

•         Te Aroha Auta - Summit.

•         Kakariki Kaitahi - Significant wahi tapu.

•         Mangahokio - Urupa / spring.

•         Pukekauri - Kaianga.

•         Huruhuru - Taharua kainga (corridor).

•         Te Onewhero - Tapu tapu.

•         Te Whakakahakaha o Rangihau - Pa.

•         Nga Puketuone - Kaianga / tuahu.

•         Waimata - Tapu / tuahu.

•         Onepu - Pa.

•         Te Whare o Tumapere - Kainga.

•         Oteotahi - Urupa.

•         Waingaere - Gardens.

19.       In the Crown legal documentation signed by Ngati Tamaterā and Ngati Maru, several very tapu urupa areas were to be reserved (although ultimately never reserved). Because of the sensitivity of these urupa, our people have always protected their exact location. As such, I am prepared to give a general location as follows: