Ngāpuhi

Biography

"Ngāpuhi is the largest tribe in New Zealand. Their territory stretches from the Hokianga Harbour to the Bay of Islands, and to Whangārei in the south.

Arriving in the Matawhaorua canoe, the navigator Kupe named the Hokianga Harbour. After he returned to Hawaiki, two captains, Nukutawhiti and Ruanui, set off again to establish settlements in New Zealand.

The tribe's founding ancestor, Rāhiri, was descended from Kupe, Nukutawhiti and Puhi. When his two sons fought over land, Rāhiri helped them make peace by flying a kite over the territory. The points where it landed marked the boundary between their two regions – Hokianga and Taumārere.

All tribes north of Auckland are descendants of Kairewa and his wife Waimirirangi, ‘the queen of the northern tide’.

Through his marriages, Rāhiri forged links with many tribes. Some descendants moved eastward, taking over other groups. Eventually the name of Ngāpuhi was given to all tribes in the Hokianga and Bay of Islands."

Rāwiri Taonui, 'Ngāpuhi', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/ngapuhi (accessed 15 November 2022)

Note on 'Family' Type for Hapū and Iwi

We hope to accurately provide hapū and iwi affiliations with as many uri (descendants) and tipuna (antecedants) as possible. The Family type has been used as it is the best available method to describe these relationships. The Family category does not describe these relationships fully, and is not intended to do so.