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Story: Te Whakatōhea

Waiwharangi, the greenstone adze

Waiwharangi, the greenstone adze

This greenstone adze is an important Te Whakatōhea trophy of war. It was exchanged for the head of the Ngāti Tai chief, Tūterangikūrei. Waiwharangi is now kept in the Whakatāne Museum.

Using this item

Whakatane District Museum and Gallery

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

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How to cite this page

Ranginui Walker, Te Whakatōhea – Ancestors, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/386/waiwharangi-the-greenstone-adze (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Ranginui Walker, published 4 March 2009, updated 1 March 2017.

Comments

Richard Te Huki
11 February 2013
I humbly ask my Tipuna for foreberance for talking off the following. Te Waiwharangi belonged to my ancestor TE HUKI. Direct male descendant of KAHUNGUNU. Outstanding ancestor of ngati Kahungunu, Second only to TAPUWAE. Very briefly Waiwharangi was taken by Te Whanau-A-Apanui from Te Huki. It was traded by Ngati Tai(Ngai Tai) to Ngati Rua. I don't know how they acquired it. Within NGATI RUA It passed from TE APOROTANGA to TUAKANA APOROTANGA to AMOAMO TE RIAKI. I have wondered where Waiwharangi rests. Now I know. Perhaps you can use this information to add to your records. Most of my info is from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography or the National Library of NZ web sites. I would like to know how Waiwharangi came to you. Please e-mail me if you can.