Ngāti Kahungunu

Ngāti Kahungunu
Iwi of New Zealand
Rohe (location)	Hawke’s Bay, Tararua and Wairārapa regions
Waka (canoe)	Tākitimu

Ngāti Kahungunu is a Māori iwi located along the eastern coast of the North Island of New Zealand. The iwi is traditionally centred in the Hawke’s Bay and Tararua and Wairārapa regions.

Ngāti Kahungunu can be divided into six geographical divisions: Wairoa, Whanganui a Orotu, Heretaunga, Tamatea, Tamakinui a Rua and Wairārapa. Ngāti Kahungunu are the third largest iwi in New Zealand, with 59,946 people identifying as Ngati Kahungunu in the 2006 Census (this excludes descendants overseas).^[1]

History

The ancestor Kahungunu depicted with the canoe paddle of a navigator

Early History

The Ngāti Kahungunu can trace their origins to the Tākitimu canoe. According to Ngāti Kahungunu traditions, the Tākitimu was captained by Tamatea Arikinui ('high chief') who settled in the Turanga area near Gisborne. The Takitimu itself continued on and sank in one of the bays of present-day Invercargill. The Takitimu arrived from Rarotonga around 1100-1200 AD as one of the 'waka' (canoes) in the great migration. Other waka included Tainui, Te Arawa, Tokomaru, Arai Te Uru, Mataatua, Kurahaupo, Aotea, Horouta and Ngatokimatawhaorua (J H Mitchell, 'Takitimu'). This makes the Ngāti Kahungunu more than 800 years old. It is said that the Takitimu and its crew were completely tapu ('sacred'). Its crew comprised men only - high chiefs, chiefs, tohunga ('priests') and perhaps elite warriors. No cooked food was eaten before or during the voyage.

Tamatea's great grandson was Kahungunu, born in present-day Kaitaia. During his life Kahungunu journeyed south through the North Island, eventually ending on the East Coast. He married several times during his southward journey, giving rise to many descendants. Many of these marriages were strategic, uniting iwi against their enemies, forming bonds and securing peace. It is said that Kahungunu was so handsome and stout of figure that Rongomaiwahine, also of royal lineage, voiced an insult, saying that she could not be gotten by him. Her beauty had reached Kahungunu's ears, and unable to resist such a challenge he embarked on a mission to win her, in which he was successful. Together they settled in the Māhia Peninsula, near Rongomaiwahine's people, where Kahungunu's main pa was situated. The Ngāti Kahungunu are the descendants of this marriage. Kahungunu was known for his expertise in military strategy, pa construction, agriculture and fishery. His advice was sought after by many in his time. He died an old man well over 80 years of age and a father of many children.

19th century History

Since their inception, Ngāti Kahungunu have fought many battles with other North Island iwi since their foundation, including the Musket Wars of the early 19th century. Ngāti Kahungunu also experienced a brief civil war in December 1865 and January 1866, which historians treat as part of the East Cape War.

In 1840, several Ngāti Kahungunu chiefs were signatories of the Treaty of Waitangi. Production of agricultural crops became well established during this time, attracting trade with European settlers. However, during the latter half of the century, much of the land owned by the iwi had been bought by the British Crown, with less than 2,000 acres (8 km²) remaining in Ngāti Kahungunu hands. This led to the Repudiation Movement, which sought to reject all land agreements. The 1890s saw the rise of the Kotahitanga movement, which was strong in the Wairārapa region.

Ngāti Kahungunu today

Presently, the affairs of the iwi are administered by Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated. The organisation looks after social, economic and community development, and represents the iwi in political affairs.

Ngāti Kahungunu also have a strong tradition in media and the arts. The people of Ngāti Kahungunu operate a radio station and a contemporary Māori arts school, in addition to publishing several newspapers.

Well-known Ngāti Kahungunu

• George Nepia
• Paraire Tomoana
• Moana Jackson
• Pita Sharples
• Keita Meretana
• Timoti Karetu
• Jai Taurima
• Tom Pearse

References

• Whaanga, Mere (2006-12-21). "Ngati Kahungunu". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/NewZealanders/MaoriNewZealanders/NgatiKahungunu/en. Retrieved 2007-04-05. 

1. ^ "2006 Census – QuickStats About Māori (revised)". Statistics New Zealand. 2007-04-04. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. http://web.archive.org/web/20070928000247/http://www.stats.govt.nz/census/2006-census-data/quickstats-about-maori/2006-census-quickstats-about-maori-revised.htm?page=para009Master. Retrieved 2007-05-25. 

External links

• Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated website: Contains information on registering for the Iwi and words to some of their waiata (songs), including the famous Pōkarekare Ana.

See also

• List of Māori iwi