Tolaga Bay

Tolaga Bay, East Coast, New Zealand

Tolaga Bay is both a bay and small town on the East Coast of New Zealand's North Island located

45 kilometres northeast of Gisborne

We are yet to discover much of our family history in Tolaga Bay, but what we do know is that our common blood connection here comes from the marriage between our tipuna Hori Patihana and Ani Patene in the early 1800's which produced a family including daughter Taraipine (b.1841).

Taraipine went on to marry Papa Charles Priestley in 1869, and the rest as they say, is history.

Many of us also have other blood ties to Tolaga Bay that are being brought to light now that we are back in contact with the home people. We encourage whanau to make contact with them, to discover your own unique blood connections.

Any corrections, additional information or pictures relevant to this page are welcome and can be submitted through the website contacts in the footer. Accreditation is given, where applicable. Many thanks to all those who have contributed.

Early History

Well before Tolaga Bay became a settlement, a much wider area of land was the traditional domain of the ancestors of Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti iwi (tribe) occupying the area from Tokomaru Bay in the north to Gisborne in the south.

These early ancestors were drawn to the Tolaga Bay area in particular because of its geography and natural resources. The Uawa river reaches far inland and the river banks provided fertile soil for land horticulture which complimented the abundant marine resources that can be found along the sea coast. The high surrounding mountains also made it a natural fortress to protect these resources and more importantly, themselves against other invading tribes.Titirangi Maunga is the revered mountain of the iwi. This is highest mountain that overlooks Tolaga Bay and it was from here the iwi could survey the area and monitor arriving and departing waka.

The sacred awa (river) is Uawa-nui-a-Ruamatua which runs through the settlement and was the transportation corridor for the iwi. Although the area is called Tolaga Bay today, the traditional name is Uawa-nui-a-Ruamatua (or Uawa for short).

Following major political and social upheavals, ancestor Hauiti eventually stamped his mana over the area; hence the title of the major tribal group in this area Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, meaning the descendants of Hauiti.

Many of the iwi can trace their whakapapa back to waka (canoe) that include Takitimu and Horouta in the Tairawhiti Region; as well as to the famous ancestor Paikea. However, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti trace their whakapapa from Rongomaituaho, grandson of Uenuku and son of Kahutiaterangi, who captained the waka named Tereanini.

Arrival of the European

Our ancestors had their first European encounter with the British explorer Captain James Cook (HMS Endeavor) during his 1769 circumnavigation of New Zealand at the area called Opoutama (now called Cooks Cove). Cook and his crew were permitted to explore the area and dig a well to replenish their water supplies.

On his visit, Cook renamed the Uawa area to something that resembled the name of Tolaga Bay. There is much debate as to why he named it as such, because it is neither English nor Māori. Tolaga Bay has also been spelt Tolago Bay and Tologa Bay during its recorded history, so it may have evolved over time from a word that has now been lost in time. Some local residents now refer to the area as Hauiti, and themselves as Hauitians after the the local iwi Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti from which they descend. At the time of Cook's visit here, a famous school of learning (Known as Te Rawheoro) that specialized in tribal lore and carving, was already sited.Inter-tribal warfare continued after the arrival of the Europeans including the Ngā Puhi musket raids in the early 1800’s which caused much devastation in the area.

As with all tribes of Aotearoa, much of the land was then confiscated or surrendered during the New Zealand Wars against the Māori (1840’s-60’s). One way of retaining land, was for our tipuna to marry European spouses which then went under the spouse’s name; but more importantly, the land would eventually go to their tamariki… well, that was the theory anyway.

Tolaga Bay Today

Our Places of Interest

There are 2 marae within the immediate township

The township with a (2013 census) predominantly Māori population of 768 is now a popular tourism and holiday hot spot.The area boasts a number of world class swimming and surfing beaches. These come alive over the Christmas and New Year period. But, those looking for a more secluded getaway can always find their own pocket of paradise.

The region is rugged, remote and absolutely stunning.

The main street has a gas station, and a number of eateries and supermarket type shops. There are a variety of accommodation options that cater for the holiday crowds which also offer good off-peak rates.

Te Rāwheoro Marae principal hapū are Ngāti Patu Whare and Te Aitanga a Hauiti. The wharenui is called Te Whare Wananga o Te Rawheoro.

Te Rawheoro at Uawa was the most important of a number of whare wananga on the East Coast. Established in the sixteenth century by Hingangaroa, the father of Hauiti, it specialised in the visual arts, alongside the traditional learning of whakapapa (genealogy) and karakia (spiritual incantations) .

Te Rawheoro was particularly noted for the quality and style of whakairo (wood carving) Te Rawheoro attracted students to the Uawa area for over twelve generations, the last tohunga being Rangiuia in the mid-nineteenth century. Te Rawheoro is remembered and honoured today in the name of Te Rawheoro Marae.

Hauiti Marae is located on Hauiti Road in Tolaga Bay, south of the Uawa River. Its principal hapū are Ngāi Tutekohi and Ngāti Kahukuranui of Te Aitanga a Hauiti iwi. The wharenui is called Ruakapanga.

Both marae connect ancestrally to the four waka Horouta, Nukutaimemeha, Takitimu and Tereanini, the maunga Titirangi, and the awa Uawanui-a-Ruamatua.

Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti tribe is sometimes described in some publications as a hapu (sub-tribe) of the Ngati Porou iwi (tribe). Whether this is the case or not, the both iwi are very closely related to each other regardless.

Poututara Urupa is where our tipuna Taraipine was buried in 1894. There will soon be a memorial dedicated to Taraipine so whanau can pay our respects in the near future. Many of her descendants and therefore our whanaunga are also buried there. We hope to learn these connections in the coming years.

Other Places of Interest

Tolaga Bay Wharf the longest in New Zealand (600m) - was built in the 1920s to accommodate visiting vessels. The last cargo ship to use the wharf loaded a cargo of maize in 1967. By 1998, the wharf had deteriorated and was in danger of being closed. In response, the Tolaga Bay Save the Wharf Trust raised funds and gained technical help to restore it. The wharf has now been re-opened and refurbished.

Cook’s Cove Walkway is very close to the wharf. You are able to walk to Cooks Cove where Captain James Cook stopped in 1769 as part of his circumnavigation of New Zealand - with information panels, a hole-in-the-wall, and a safe cove to swim in, this walk is a good option for children.

The Tolaga Bay Inn is one of the last remaining historic hotels on the East Coast, with a history of caring for locals, traders and travellers for over 130 years.

Architecturally designed by French-Canadian architect Sholto Smith, the Tolaga Bay Inn is a classic example of the Tudor House design he became famous for.

The Tolaga Bay Inn is the historic social hub of the community. Their bar, dining and accommodation facilities still cater for both locals and visitors alike.

Slideshow

Tolaga Bay Slideshow

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