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Kōrero: East Coast region

Waka landings, places of significance and tribes

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Waka landings, places of significance and tribes

This map shows waka (canoe) landing sites, tribal areas and places of significance for Māori in the East Coast region.

Tradition holds that Nukutaimemeha, the waka that Māui used to haul up the North Island, rests petrified on Hikurangi mountain.

Paikea travelled to Aotearoa from Hawaiki on the back of a whale and landed at Whāngārā.

The Takitimuwaka landed at Whangaōkena (East Cape), Ūawa (Tolaga Bay), Tūranganui (Gisborne), Nukutaurua (on Māhia Peninsula) and other points further south along the eastcoast.

The Horoutawaka was captained by Kiwa and Pāoa. It made landfall at Ōhiwa after its prow (haumi) was damaged. Pāoa travelled inland, locating timber to repair the prow on a mountain, hence the name Maungahaumi. Urinating from there, he enlarged the Waioeka, Motu, Waikohu and Waipāoa rivers. Horoutawas later sailed to Tūranganui, which Pāoa reached on foot. Hinekauirangi also travelled overland to Tūranganui, via the Tapuaeroa River. Horoutawas beached in the Te Wherowhero Lagoon, at Muriwai. The footprints of Rongokako, a friend of Pāoa, are found at a number of places along the coast.

Ngāti Porou and the tribes of Poverty Bay – Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Rongowhakaata and Ngai Tāmanuhiri – all trace descent from Kiwa and Pāoa.

Popoia was the of Ruapani, a prominent chief of Poverty Bay, who had many descendants.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

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Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Monty Soutar, East Coast region – Māori settlement, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/map/33350/waka-landings-places-of-significance-and-tribes (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Monty Soutar, i tāngia i te 23 August 2011, updated 1 March 2015.

Comments

TQ
31 January 2022
Your story does not predate the 1st settlors Ngariki Kaiputahi Was the 1st Ancient iwi to arrive in East Coast Not Mahaki the ika a roa arauru Did not match up with their story Crown and Tribunal over ride this decision. Must get facts right.. as my people won the Rights and claim Nga Mihi See evidence