Origins of Waimarama

Nga Hapu o Waimarama whakapapa dates back to pre-migration times. Decent can be traced back to the original inhabitants, Kupe, Paikea, Tara, Whatonga, Tara and Toikairakau. Many of our key place names originated from these early origins (Te Whanganui-a-Tara). The Takitimu canoe anchored at Waimarama with the anchor being called Te Taupunga o Takitimu (which is the name of the Meeting House). With the arrival of the Takitimu waka, four Tohunga disembarked at Waimarama. Tunui and Taewha were the most well known of the Tohunga and established the whare wananga Rangiteauira and the Whare Maire Paewhenua respectively. These wananga helped build the repuatation of Waimarama as a key focal point for the population of the time. By the time Ngati Kahungunu arrived in the Hawkes Bay generations later, Waimarama was already well populated by Ngai Tara, Rangitane, Ngati Awa and Muaupoko. Taraia had given authority to occupy lands south of the Tukituki river to his general Te Aomatarahi. This brought conflict between the Kahungunu and Rangitane tribes with key battles at Hakikino, Matanginui and Karamea. In the end it was the marriage between Te Ao Matarahis youngest son Rongomaipureora and the Rangitane Chieftiness Hinengatira that brought peace to the area. The decent of this marriage became the new aristocracy.

Later Te Karaha was invited to live in Waimarama. His brothers were also placed in other parts of the wider territory, Te Kikiri at Waipukurau and Te Orihau 1 at Te Hauke, with Hawea in Heretaunga. Intermarriage further enhanced the mana of Nga Hapu o Waimarama now with direct links to Te Rangikoianake, Te Whatuiapiti, Kahungunu and Tamatea Ariki Nui. Tiakitai had direct links to this line through his grandfather Te Karaha and also to Tumapuhiarangi and Hinengatira through his mother Hinekona. Tiakitai was a key figure in the Heretaunga invasion by powerful interior tribes. Unlike many of the Heretaunga chiefs, Tiakitai chose not to migrate to Nukutaurua under the protection of Te Wera Hauraki and Te Pareihe. He and his Waimarama hapu maintained the ahi kaa roa of Waimarama and greater Heretaunga and fought to protect their people at key battles, Te Whiti o Tu, Te Pakake, Roto a Tara 1 and 2 and others. His reputation for maintaining the Ahi Kaa was heralded throughout Ngati Kahungunu and was greatly mourned at his death. His younger brother Harawira Te Tatere Mahikai inherited his leadership role and was also one of the chiefs that signed the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. Descendants of these rangatira included Te Teira Tiakitai, Horiana Te Wharepu, Airini Donnely, Morehu Te Amohaere, Wi Te Maangi, Mohi Te Atahikoia, Wi Turoa and others. All maintained the mana of Waimarama and encouraged the hapu not to sell land. In conclusion this is a brief history which serves to demonstrate the long and close association between nga hapu o Waimarama and the land and coast. The link with the original inhabitants is long and unbroken. The whakapapa is articulated in the table below and illustrates key lines of decent to both the original and migrant peoples.