Ngâi Te Rangi Iwi History
The Origins of Ngâi Te Rangi Iwi
Ngâi Te Rangi Iwi originally came from a land called Hawaiki. Upon arriving in Aotearoa New Zealand aboard the Mataatua Canoe the tribe later settled in the Opotiki area at a pa or fortified village called Tawhitirahi, notwithstanding this, Ngâ Te Rangi Iwi are also descended from the original inhabitants of Tauranga and the pre-waka people or pre-migration people who traversed the entire Bay of Plenty, through intermarriage after the arrival of the canoes. In circa 1650 AD the tribe undertook an arduous and sometimes challenging migration around the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand called Te Heke o Te Rangihouhiri or the Journey of Ngâi Te Rangi. This is detailed in evidence to the Waitangi Tribunal WA 540.
Where did the name Ngâi Te Rangi come from?
The name Ngâi Te Rangi is an abbreviation of “Ngâti Te Rangihouhiri” the descendents of Te Rangihouhiri. Te Rangihouhiri was a noted chief, warrior and Matekite possessed of foresight and prophesy of the Ngâi Te Rangi Tribe who died in one of the bloodiest battles in Mâori History called Poporohuamea. Ngâi Te Rangi tradition says Te Rangihouhiri died at this battle after foretelling his own death. The tribe adopted his name following this.
Our Hapū and Marae
An Iwi is essentially a collective of Hapū or Sub Tribes joined through common descent and ancestry. The primary ancestors of Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi are Te Rangihouhiri and Tamapahore. Ngāi Te Rangi therefore comprise a number of hapū including:
Ngā Potiki
Te Whānau a Tauwhao
Ngāti Kuku
Ngāi Tukairangi
Ngāti Tapu
Ngāi Tamawhariua
Ngāti He
Ngāti Tauaiti
Ngāi Tuwhiwhia
The Marae is a primary gathering place for the various hapū of Māori of New Zealand. The Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi Marae consists of 2 primary buildings, the Wharenui or meeting house and the Wharekai or dining hall. We have 11 operative Marae in the Tauranga District. Our Marae continue to be one of the main focal points of Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi tribal members. Our 11 Marae include:
Te Rangihouhiri Marae – Matakana Island
Te Rereatukahia Marae – Katikati
Otawhiwhi Marae – Bowentown
Rangiwaea Marae – Rangiwaea
Opureora Marae – Matakana Island
Tahuwhakatiki Marae – Welcome Bay
Tamapahore Marae – Te Maunga
Maungatapu Marae – Maungatapu
Waikari Marae – Matapihi
Hungahungatoroa Marae – Matapihi
Whareroa Marae – Mt Maunganui |
