Te Taitamawahine me Te Taitamatāne

Rāhiri proclaimed that Kaharau would remain in the west, Te Taitamatāne, and that Uenukukūare would settle in the east, Te Taitamawahine. The area known today as Te Pū o te Wheke - the heart of the octopus, from which the tentacles reach out into the different parts of Ngāpuhi. Te Pū o te Wheke is also where rangatira from Ngāpuhi were interred, regardless of whether they were from the west or the east. 

Thus, although Rāhiri separated Uenuku and Kaharau to resolve their growing tension, he also knew that having two sons occupy the two coasts would grow the political strength of Ngāpuhi in the area. Although they were separated, they were also to support each other in times of need, which is reflected in Rāhiri’s whakatauki: 

Ka mimiti te puna i Taumārere

Ka totō te puna i Hokianga

Ka totō te puna i Taumārere

Ka mimiti te puna i Hokianga

(When the spring of Taumārere dries up, that of Hokianga fills up. When the spring of Taumārere fills up, that of Hokianga dries up)

A Fire in the Belly of Hineamaru - Melinda Webber & Te Kapua O'Connor