Most Hauraki tribes trace descent from Marutūahu, a Tainui ancestor who made his way into the region from Waikato and established ascendancy in it. There are many overlapping links.

Marutūahu married two sisters, Paremoehau and Hineurunga, and had children by both. One of his children by Hineurunga married a grandchild of Paremoehau.

The sons of Marutūahu by Paremoehau – Tamatepō, Tamaterā and Whanaunga – are all ancestors of particular tribes.

After the death of Marutūahu, Tamaterā married the widowed Hineurunga, who was also his aunt. He also married Tūmorewhitia and Ruawehea, and had children by all three wives.

Taharua, a son of Tamaterā and Ruawehea, fathered Tukutuku, who married Pāoa, the tūpuna (ancestor) of Ngāti Pāoa.