Whakatōhea
Our rohe is located in the eastern Bay of Plenty extending eastwards from Maraetotara, just west of Ohiwa Harbour through to Opape along the coastline, and inland to Matawai. The heartbeat and Capital of our rohe is our beautiful town of Ōpōtiki.
The traditional lands of Whakatōhea as described by Hoeroa Horokai and Heremia Hoera:
Commencing at Pākihi, at the mouth of the river along the sea coast to the mouth of the Waiōtahe Stream to the mouth of the Ōhiwa Harbour to Te Horo (a hill), then turning inland southwards to Puhikoko (a hill) to Pukemoremore (a hill);
then to Māpouriki (a hill), at one time a fighting pā. Then descending to Waimana Stream; following the Waimana Stream toward its source at Tautautahi along the banks to the mouth of the Pārau Stream; then following Pārau Stream to Tangata-e-roha (a hill) on to Kaharoa (an old settlement); from Kaharoa to Pā Harakeke, a ridge leading towards Maungapohatu [to Te Ranga Kapua], then to Maungatāpere descending into the Motu river to Kaitaura falls to Peketutu (a rock); leaving the river and up a ridge to Whakararonga; following the hill tops until it reaches Tipi O Houmea (a peak) descending towards Makomako (a hill) till it crosses Takaputahi Stream to Ngaupokotangata (a mountain) following the ridge to Kamakama; along the ridge to Oroi then turning seawards to Te Rangi on the seacoast; then along the sea coast to the mouth of the Ōpape Stream to Awahou Stream to Tirohanga and back to Pākihi.
(Jones, 1920 – Simms Commission Report; Boundaries given by Hoeroa Horokai and Heremia Hoera)
Waka
Waka arrived preceding Mataatua, bringing along the earlier tribes of Hapūoneone and Ngā Ariki. Hape led Rangimātoru; Ōtūrereao by Tairongo, Pākihikura by Irākewa;
Te Araumauma by Tarawa, and Tuwhenua by
Tamatea-Matangi.
These ancestral identities play a crucial role in recognising the development and subsequent emergence of Te Whakatōhea te Iwi. Tūtāmure and Muriwai are the esteemed ancestors of Whakatōhea, tracing their lineage through Tūtāmure of the Nukutere waka and Muriwai of the Mataatua waka.
The union of Tūtāmure and Hineīkauīa laid the groundwork for Whakatōhea on the authority of Te Panenehu and the Mātaatua waka. As time passed, the names Te Wakanui and Te Panenehu gradually merged into the new identity of Whakatōhea.
Tīpuna
At Te Rangi, along the eastern boundary,1250AD, ancestor Tauturangi arrived, becoming one of the founding members of the Te Wakanui tribe, a precursor to Tūtāmure and the Panenehu tribe. Tūtāmure had influence, though traditionally extending to the Motu, is historically documented in the establishment of the eastern and south-eastern boundaries of the Whakatōhea territory alongside the Panenehu. Tūtāmure played a pivotal role in defining the exercise of mana and rangatiratanga over these lands.
The Ngai Tū people, descendants of Tarawa, settled vast regions within the Whakatōhea rohe, including present-day Ōpōtiki Township. Several hapū, such as Ngāti Ngāhere, Ngāti Patumoana, and Ngāi Tamahaua, trace their lineage back to Ngai Tū. Prominent figures like Tamakōmutumutu, Hauoterangi, Tahu, and Ruamoko are among Tarawa well-known descendants.
On the western frontier of Whakatōhea, the arrival of the Mataatua Waka, approximately eight generations after Nukutere, marked a significant milestone. The eponymous ancestor Muriwai disembarked here, taking refuge in a cave beneath Kohi Point in Whakatāne. Her legend is enshrined in her courageous act of saving the Mataatua Waka from drifting out to sea, immortalised by her words, 'Kia Whakatāne au I ahau.' Through her journey and the legacy of her descendants, whakapapa connections of Mataatua emerge.
Repanga was the oldest son of Muriwai who wed Ngāpoupereta, daughter of Ranginui-a-tekohu from the Rangimatoru Waka of Ohiwa. Their descendants, including Tuamutu and Ruamatarangi, established ties with various hapū, such as Ngāti Rua and Ngāti Ira. Rangikurukuru, another son of Muriwai, became an ancestor of Ngāti Ira and others.
Following the Maungakahia battle involving his uncle Kahungunu, Tūtāmure returned and married Hineīkauīa, Muriwai's beloved daughter. This union cemented Whakatōhea's influence on the western and northern frontiers and laid the foundation for our shared hapū whakapapa. It is a testament to the strength of our community and the enduring legacy of our ancestors.
Muriwai's indomitable spirit, evidenced by incidents like the drowning of her sons Tanewhirinaki and Koau, gave rise to the saying 'Mai Ngā Kuri a Wharei ki Tihirau,' highlighting the area's tapu and reverence for Muriwai herself.
Today, Whakatōhea comprises six hapū: Te Upokorehe, Ngāti Ngahere, Ngāti Ira, Ngāti Ruatakena, Ngāti Patumoana, and Ngai Tamahaua."
Whakapapa
Te Whakatōhea unique mana originates from the union of Ranginui, the Skyfather, and Papatuanuku, the Earthmother.
It traces through Tāwhaki and the journey to the heavens, where he attained the three baskets of knowledge, the kete o te wānanga. From Tāwhaki, Te Whakatōhea's lineage extends to Wekanui, the mother of Muriwai.
Our ancestry spans from Toi Te Huatahi to Awanuiarangi, to Awaroa, to Awatumakiterangi, to Parinuitēra, to Awamōrehurehu, to Irakewa, and finally to Muriwai, from whom we derive our name. This ancestral connection binds us to our Maunga, Ngahere, Whenua, Awa, Moana, granting Te Whakatōhea authority over our region.
