Ngotea te wai o te kākahi – kia Ngāti Whakaue ai koe
Ngāti Whakaue is nourished by the waters where kākahi reside and stand strong in our identity ki tai, ki uta
Our rohe spans from Rotorua, known for its geothermal wonders and rich Māori culture, to the stunning shores of Maketū on the Eastern Bay of Plenty coast. This ancestral connection to the whenua reflects the enduring tie Ngāti Whakaue has to its people, whenua and moana.
Rotorua serves as a cultural hub for Ngāti Whakaue, while Maketū, with its historic significance as one of the early landing sites of the Arawa waka, remains a place of great spiritual and historical importance. The connection to these rohe embodies our commitment to kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga, ensuring the preservation and prosperity of our people and taiao for our future generations – Mokopuna Decisions.
Te Waka o Te Arawa
Maketū was the landing place of the Arawa waka, which arrived in Aotearoa in the 1300s captained by Tamatekapua who brought our tūpuna to these shores.
Over generations, our tūpuna settled on the whenua surrounding Maketū and extended inland towards Rotorua, establishing the iwi of Ngāti Whakaue (as well as Tūhourangi and Ngāti Pikiao).
Ngāti Whakaue uri trace their whakapapa directly to Tamatekapua, the captain of the Arawa waka.
Te Arawa is known as a confederation of iwi. Ngā Pūmanawa e Waru ō Te Arawa, the Eight Beating Hearts of Te Arawa, refers to the children of Rangitihi, whose descendants went on to establish (in their own right), Te Arawa iwi and hapū.
Ngā Tūpuna
Our eponymous tupuna, Whakaue Kaipapa, whose name we proudly carry as Ngāti Whakaue, was respected as a manukura among his people. His whakapapa traces directly back to Tamatekapua.
As a result, he holds a special place in Ngāti Whakaue whakapapa and is recognised as one of the key figures in our tribe’s vibrant history and highly regarded identity.
Tamatekapua
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Kahumatamomoe
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Tawakemoetahanga
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Uenukumairarotonga
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Rangitihi
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Tūhourangi
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Uenukukōpako
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Whakaue
Whakaue was the father of many of our tūpuna who also went on to become the forebears of their own iwi and hapū. Our Ngāti Whakaue ties are woven through the lineage of the youngest son of Whakaue, Tūtānekai,
Tūtānekai is a paramount pillar of our tribal identity. His legacy has been proudly passed down through generations, and his contributions to our people are still remembered and celebrated to this day.
The most well-known pūrākau of Tūtānekai is the love story of Hinemoa and Tūtānekai. The story of the romance between our tūpuna is known all around the world and is still celebrated today in many waiata (Pokarekare Ana). Tūtānekai is also commemorated by descendants through the kōauau (flute), honouring his legacy with every note. Many people have recited the love story of Hinemoa and Tūtānekai, including Kēpa Ehau – He Kōrero mō Tūtānekai rāua ko Hinemoa, told here in English and Te Reo.
Te Hope o Tūtānekai
Performed by Te Kuirau Marae for the 2024 Whakaue Whakanuia, this waiata-ā-ringa was written by Dallas Hawe. “Te Hope o Tūtānekai” celebrates the enduring legacy and spirit of our tupuna, Tūtānekai.
