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Whakapapa of Rangitihi and his descendants

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Whakapapa of Rangitihi and his descendants

For Māori, sexual relationships provided opportunities to develop social connections between different groups. This whakapapa (genealogy) of the descendants of the chief Rangitihi shows how strategic marriages and the outcome of sexual unions created strong links between tribal groups that might otherwise have been in conflict.

Rangitihi's two descendants, Kawatapuarangi and Tūhourangi, are the ancestors of Tāmiuru and Taiwere, whose son Pūkaki married Ngāpuia, consolidating relationships between the tribes of Ngāti Pikiao, Tuhourangi and Ngāti Whakaue.

Whakapapa from information provided by Paora Tapsell

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How to cite this page

Louisa Allen, Sexualities – Sexualities – then and now, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/whakapapa/30854/whakapapa-of-rangitihi-and-his-descendants (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Louisa Allen, published 7 April 2011.

Comments

Moananui
03 February 2013
Rangitihi was the forth son of Tamatekapua and the father of the first NZ born male grandchild (Rangiohia)and it was because of this the Mana-whenua of Aotearoa was bestowed. The other reason was because he alone was able and capable of performing the funeral rights over his father upon his death. Only a Priest or Tohunga Ahurewa of the Highest Class who worshipped the One Supreme Being IO and who was descended directly from TANE could perform such a right. Tamatekapua being a Highly Tapu or Sacred person. This also meant he was the holder of sacred knowledge important to the tribes well being. We need to remember that Tamatekapua, was the grand son of Atuamatua, and he the grandson of Puhaorangi who we are told, mother was of celestial origin. With Puhaorangi's face shining upon his birth it was said he was the bearer of divine power and direct bloodline descendancy from TANE or The Son of GOD/Word and thus it was he who wore the 3 Feathered Crown of (MU) which confers to his direct descendants to this day. Such authority cannot be transferred and is said to find and chose whom it chooses from its direct bloodline lineage. I suspect DNA transference of an alien gene or similar however there could be more divine reason I simply do not know. Could be getting a bit off track here but still a valid point when other info of visitors from the stars in ancient times coming down and liaising with them are accepted as fact and not myth. Ancient UFO abductions one would guess and it seems little has changed today. From what I was told by my elderly aunts, grandaunts and uncles from Tapuika and Rangitihi and those from Maketu it is not necessarily the male only line that inherited authority and such traits conferred where and are still recognisable by their kins intelligence size (big boned) and unusual abilities above those of the common masses. Cleverness a key attribute and powerful psychic abilities. There's much more about Rangitihi to be told but not in this forum, maybe I will write a book about what I was told concerning him to me one day. One only has to look at those who came down the bloodline and their antics to know they were not your usual bunch and somewhat different from the rest. I can only put it down to genetics as there seems to be no other credible explanation. Maybe others have some input. It is important to note the three feathered Crown of the Pharoahs, Lemurians, Olmec and some of the Red Indian Tribes and the ancient references to their ten to 14 ft height, same as Tamatekapua, Tia, his son Tapuika and Hei and his son Waitaha and other direct family members. Hence why Tuhourangi at 9ft was not unusual or an oddity as some today think. There are many bones of these giants scattered about the area but are now deep due to the amount of ash having been deposited over the many many centuries which would be around 4800 to 5200 years since first arrival. Don't forget that several big quakes and tsunami's have taken the BOP out down through the centuries and that resettlement has occurred two or three times since.
Ngawai Cole
05 March 2012
This is a very understanding website however what i was looking for was my great-grandfathers spouse. I do know who his mum and dad are who his children are and how i am related to him however i do not know who my great-grandfathers partner is would be much appreciated thank-you. My great-grandfather was Deane Waretini