Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti
is a
M?ori
iwi
(tribe) on the
East Coast
of
New Zealand
's
North Island
. Its
rohe
(tribal area) covers the area from Tawhiti-a-Paoa
Tokomaru Bay
to Te Toka-a-Taiau
Gisborne
on the East Coast of the North Island of
New Zealand
.
[1]
[2]
Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti comprises over fifty hapu: from Te Whanau-a-Te Aotawarirangi the northern hapu Tokomaru Bay to Ngati Oneone the southern hapu Gisborne. Many can trace their
whakapapa
(ancestry) back to Takitimu and Horouta
waka
(migration canoes) that arrived in
Tairawhiti
, and back 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 Tereanini waka.
[1]
[2]
Poupou from the early 18th century (from the
iwi
Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti), last object of the first voyage of
James Cook
(1768-1771), gift to
Joseph Banks
, now at the Museum of the
University of Tubingen
MUT (
Germany
)
About the 16th century, following major political and social upheavals between the three brothers Taua-Ariki, Mahaki-Ewe-Karoro and Hauiti, Hauiti eventually stamped his mana over Uawa (Tolaga Bay) as it is known to many local inhabitants; hence the title of the major tribal group in this area
Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti
, meaning the descendants of Hauiti.
[1]
[2]
Local hapu and the Hauiti ariki Whakatataare-o-te-rangi encountered the British explorer Captain James Cook in 1769; including
Tupaia
the Tahitian who accompanied Cook on his voyage around the
Pacific Ocean
.
[1]
[2]
According to tribal tradition, Hauiti ariki
Te Kani-a-Takirau
was offered in 1854 the
Kingite Crown
, but he declined the offer.
[3]
One of Te Aitanga a Hauiti's more famous modern
marae
(meeting places) steeped in M?ori history is Te Poho-o-Rawiri of Ngati Oneone situated in Gisborne. The origins of
Rongowhakaata
, the eponymous ancestor, is traced to the area occupied by Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti. Hauiti married the daughter of Rongowhakaata named Kahukura-iti.
Titirangi Maunga is the tribe's
maunga
(revered mountain), holds a similar name as Titirangi Maunga (Kaiti Hill) in Gisborne. Uawa-nui-a-Ruamatua, dividing the township
Tolaga Bay
and Hauiti, is the tribe's
awa
(sacred river).
[1]
[2]
Notable members of the tribe include: