Ruapuha

The eponymous ancestor Ruapuha was the son of Kahuitangaroa and the grandson of Kinohaku and Tuirirangi. Ruapuha and his brother’s Koromiko and Matamaru derived the mana of the land at Mangapu through their uncle, Tumarouru who had relocated to Mokau.

Ruapuha’s first wife, Paretonga died giving birth to their child Ikapaungatahi.  The infant was fed on kahikatea berries from a tree at Mataparu, by his grandfather Kahuitangaroa.

Ruapuha earned a reputation as being a great provider of food and held mana over the land and streams from Rereamanu, Waitomo and Tumutumu.  Pā tuna were built on the Mangapu, Mangaokewa, Mangamutu, Mangaorongo, Mangarapa and Otuata streams. Along the river banks and flats grew the kahikatea forests and the name Te Nehenehenui was given to the areas where they grew.  Read more about Ruapuha.

Uekaha

Uekaha, the son of Te Kawairirangi and Hinekahukura, was a half-brother to Rungaterangi and Tukemata. He lived at Waitomo and had two wives. His first wife was Whiawhia and from this union came Arikitauri, Huru and Rauponga. Whiawhia was the granddaughter of Porinui who was a brother to Rueke and Tupahau. Whiawhia’s parents were Pukauae and Hinewairangi (the daughter of Te Ao).

Uekaha’s second wife was Hinerangi, the daughter of Maniatakamaiwaho (son of Matakore) and Torekauae. The korero handed down over many generations is that Torekauae while visiting her father, Tuteaomarama asked him to look into her hair as she suspected that she had kutu. When carrying out his daughter’s request, he discovered wounds on her head and realised that her husband had been assaulting her. There was no need for words to be spoken.  Read more about Uekaha

Photo – Rangiahua – the pā site of Uekaha – North of the Waitomo Caves Domain

Download images of the four whakapapa

• Whakapapa o Ngāti Ruapuha – (download PDF)
• Whakapapa o Te Riutoto Aihe – (download PDF)
• Whakapapa o Ngāti Uekaha – (download PDF)
• Whakapapa o Tanetinorau – (download PDF)