Ngati Kahungunu
Encyclopedia
Ngāti Kahungunu is a Māori iwi
located along the eastern coast of the North Island
of New Zealand
. The iwi is traditionally centred in the Hawke’s Bay and Tararua
and Wairārapa
regions.
Ngāti Kahungunu can be divided into six geographical divisions: Wairoa, Whanganui a Orotu, Heretaunga, Tamatea, Tamakinui a Rua and Wairārapa. Ngāti Kahungunu are the third largest iwi in New Zealand, with 59,946 people identifying as Ngati Kahungunu in the 2006 Census (this excludes descendants overseas).
canoe. According to Ngāti Kahungunu traditions, the Tākitimu was captained by Tamatea Arikinui ('high chief') who settled in the Turanga area near Gisborne. The Takitimu itself continued on and sank in one of the bays of present-day Invercargill. The Takitimu arrived from Rarotonga around 1100-1200 AD as one of the 'waka' (canoes) in the great migration. Other waka included Tainui, Te Arawa, Tokomaru, Arai Te Uru, Mataatua, Kurahaupo, Aotea, Horouta and Ngatokimatawhaorua (J H Mitchell, 'Takitimu'). This makes the Ngāti Kahungunu more than 800 years old. It is said that the Takitimu and its crew were completely tapu ('sacred'). Its crew comprised men only - high chiefs, chiefs, tohunga ('priests') and perhaps elite warriors. No cooked food was eaten before or during the voyage.
Tamatea's great grandson was Kahungunu, born in present-day Kaitaia
. During his life Kahungunu journeyed south through the North Island, eventually ending on the East Coast. He married several times during his southward journey, giving rise to many descendants. Many of these marriages were strategic, uniting iwi against their enemies, forming bonds and securing peace. It is said that Kahungunu was so handsome and stout of figure that Rongomaiwahine, also of royal lineage, voiced an insult, saying that she could not be gotten by him. Her beauty had reached Kahungunu's ears, and unable to resist such a challenge he embarked on a mission to win her, in which he was successful. Together they settled in the Māhia Peninsula
, near Rongomaiwahine's people, where Kahungunu's main pa was situated. The Ngāti Kahungunu are the descendants of this marriage. Kahungunu was known for his expertise in military strategy, pa construction, agriculture and fishery. His advice was sought after by many in his time. He died an old man well over 80 years of age and a father of many children.
of the early 19th century. Ngāti Kahungunu also experienced a brief civil war in December 1865 and January 1866, which historians treat as part of the East Cape War.
In 1840, several Ngāti Kahungunu chiefs were signatories of the Treaty of Waitangi
. Production of agricultural crops became well established during this time, attracting trade with European settlers. However, during the latter half of the century, much of the land owned by the iwi had been bought by the British Crown, with less than 2000 acres (8 km²) remaining in Ngāti Kahungunu hands. This led to the Repudiation Movement, which sought to reject all land agreements. The 1890s saw the rise of the Kotahitanga movement, which was strong in the Wairārapa region.
Ngāti Kahungunu also have a strong tradition in media and the arts. The people of Ngāti Kahungunu operate a radio station and a contemporary Māori arts school, in addition to publishing several newspapers.
Iwi
In New Zealand society, iwi form the largest everyday social units in Māori culture. The word iwi means "'peoples' or 'nations'. In "the work of European writers which treat iwi and hapū as parts of a hierarchical structure", it has been used to mean "tribe" , or confederation of tribes,...
located along the eastern coast of the North Island
North Island
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. The iwi is traditionally centred in the Hawke’s Bay and Tararua
Tararua
Tararua is a name used in several contexts:*The Tararua Range, in the south-east of New Zealand's North Island*The Tararua District of New Zealand, named for the Range.*The Tararua Forest Park, New Zealand's first forest park...
and Wairārapa
Wairarapa
Wairarapa is a geographical region of New Zealand. It occupies the south-eastern corner of the North Island, east of metropolitan Wellington and south-west of the Hawke's Bay region. It is lightly populated, having several rural service towns, with Masterton being the largest...
regions.
Ngāti Kahungunu can be divided into six geographical divisions: Wairoa, Whanganui a Orotu, Heretaunga, Tamatea, Tamakinui a Rua and Wairārapa. Ngāti Kahungunu are the third largest iwi in New Zealand, with 59,946 people identifying as Ngati Kahungunu in the 2006 Census (this excludes descendants overseas).
History
Early History
The Ngāti Kahungunu can trace their origins to the TākitimuTakitimu
In several Māori traditions, the Tākitimu was one of the great Māori migration canoes that brought Polynesian migrants to New Zealand from Hawaiki. It was one of the seven canoes in the "Great Fleet hypothesis" proposed by historian Stephenson Percy Smith .-Māori Traditions:The Tākitimu appears in...
canoe. According to Ngāti Kahungunu traditions, the Tākitimu was captained by Tamatea Arikinui ('high chief') who settled in the Turanga area near Gisborne. The Takitimu itself continued on and sank in one of the bays of present-day Invercargill. The Takitimu arrived from Rarotonga around 1100-1200 AD as one of the 'waka' (canoes) in the great migration. Other waka included Tainui, Te Arawa, Tokomaru, Arai Te Uru, Mataatua, Kurahaupo, Aotea, Horouta and Ngatokimatawhaorua (J H Mitchell, 'Takitimu'). This makes the Ngāti Kahungunu more than 800 years old. It is said that the Takitimu and its crew were completely tapu ('sacred'). Its crew comprised men only - high chiefs, chiefs, tohunga ('priests') and perhaps elite warriors. No cooked food was eaten before or during the voyage.
Tamatea's great grandson was Kahungunu, born in present-day Kaitaia
Kaitaia
Kaitaia is a town in the far north region of New Zealand, at the base of the Aupouri Peninsula which is about 160 km northwest of Whangarei. It is the last major settlement on the main road north to the capes and bays on the peninsula...
. During his life Kahungunu journeyed south through the North Island, eventually ending on the East Coast. He married several times during his southward journey, giving rise to many descendants. Many of these marriages were strategic, uniting iwi against their enemies, forming bonds and securing peace. It is said that Kahungunu was so handsome and stout of figure that Rongomaiwahine, also of royal lineage, voiced an insult, saying that she could not be gotten by him. Her beauty had reached Kahungunu's ears, and unable to resist such a challenge he embarked on a mission to win her, in which he was successful. Together they settled in the Māhia Peninsula
Mahia Peninsula
The Mahia Peninsula is located on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, between the cities of Napier and Gisborne.-Geography:The peninsula is long and wide rising to its highest point at Rahuimokairoa reaching about above sea level. Mahia was initially an island which over time, has had...
, near Rongomaiwahine's people, where Kahungunu's main pa was situated. The Ngāti Kahungunu are the descendants of this marriage. Kahungunu was known for his expertise in military strategy, pa construction, agriculture and fishery. His advice was sought after by many in his time. He died an old man well over 80 years of age and a father of many children.
19th century History
Since their inception, Ngāti Kahungunu have fought many battles with other North Island iwi since their foundation, including the Musket WarsMusket Wars
The Musket Wars were a series of five hundred or more battles mainly fought between various hapū , sometimes alliances of pan-hapū groups and less often larger iwi of Māori between 1807 and 1842, in New Zealand.Northern tribes such as the rivals Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Whātua were the first to obtain...
of the early 19th century. Ngāti Kahungunu also experienced a brief civil war in December 1865 and January 1866, which historians treat as part of the East Cape War.
In 1840, several Ngāti Kahungunu chiefs were signatories of the Treaty of Waitangi
Treaty of Waitangi
The Treaty of Waitangi is a treaty first signed on 6 February 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and various Māori chiefs from the North Island of New Zealand....
. Production of agricultural crops became well established during this time, attracting trade with European settlers. However, during the latter half of the century, much of the land owned by the iwi had been bought by the British Crown, with less than 2000 acres (8 km²) remaining in Ngāti Kahungunu hands. This led to the Repudiation Movement, which sought to reject all land agreements. The 1890s saw the rise of the Kotahitanga movement, which was strong in the Wairārapa region.
Ngāti Kahungunu today
Presently, the affairs of the iwi are administered by Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated. The organisation looks after social, economic and community development, and represents the iwi in political affairs.Ngāti Kahungunu also have a strong tradition in media and the arts. The people of Ngāti Kahungunu operate a radio station and a contemporary Māori arts school, in addition to publishing several newspapers.
Well-known Ngāti Kahungunu
- George NepiaGeorge NepiaGeorge Nepia was a Māori rugby union and rugby league player. He is remembered as an exceptional full-back and one of the most famous Māori rugby players. He was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. In 2004 he was selected as number 65 by the panel of the New Zealand's Top...
- Paraire TomoanaParaire TomoanaParaire Henare Tomoana , known as Friday, was a prominent Māori leader in the Hawke's Bay Region. He was born in Waipatu or Pakowhai, the son of Henare Tomoana...
- Moana JacksonMoana JacksonMoana Jackson is a New Zealand Māori lawyer specialising in Treaty of Waitangi and constitutional issues. Moana Jackson is of Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Porou descent...
- Pita SharplesPita SharplesPita Russell Sharples, CBE, , a Māori academic and politician, currently co-leads the Māori Party. He currently is the member for Tamaki Makaurau in New Zealand's Parliament.-Early life:...
- Keita MeretanaKeita MeretanaKeith Mildon of Ngāti Kahungunu, is a former professional wrestler and heavyweight wrestling champion of New Zealand from Wairoa, New Zealand.-Career:Keith Mildon, third son of the Mr L. W. Mildon and Mrs C...
- Timoti Karetu
- Jai TaurimaJai TaurimaJai Taurima is a retired Australian athlete who competed in the long jump. He won a surprising silver medal at the 2000 Olympics with a personal best jump of 8.49 metres. This was the Oceanian record...
- Tom Pearse
External links
- Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated website: Contains information on registering for the Iwi and words to some of their waiata (songs), including the famous Pōkarekare AnaPokarekare AnaPokarekare Ana is a traditional New Zealand love song, probably communally composed about the time World War I began in 1914.-Authorship disputes:...
.