Te Aupōuri

Biography

"Te Aupōuri were originally known as Ngāti Ruānui. They were closely related to Te Rarawa, particularly through the marriage of Waimirirangi to Kairewa. Their daughter, Haere-ki-te-rā, was the ancestor of the Ngāti Ruānui chiefs, Whēru and Te Ikanui. Another daughter, Pare, along with her husband Te Rēinga and brother Tamatea, were important early leaders for the predecessors of Te Rarawa.

Ngāti Ruānui dominated the Whāngāpē and Herekino harbours. Over time they came into conflict with their relations Ngāti Te Rēinga, Ngāti Kairewa, Ngāti Manawa and Ngāti Te Aewa. These four tribes were emerging as a strong unified group out of settlements at Motutī, Whakarapa and Motukauri on the northern shores of Hokianga Harbour.

The two groups fought several battles in the Whāngāpē and Herekino harbours, and at Ahipara and Hukatere along Te Oneroa-a-Tōhē. During one of these battles, Te Ikanui and Whēru were besieged in their pā at Pawarenga on the Whāngāpē Harbour. One night they burned their possessions in order to create a screen of smoke, and then escaped unseen across the harbour. From then on Ngāti Ruānui were known as Te Aupōuri, from ‘au’ (current) and ‘pōuri’ (smoke or ash)."

Rāwiri Taonui, 'Muriwhenua tribes - Te Aupōuri and Te Rarawa', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/muriwhenua-tribes/page-3 (accessed 16 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 (antecedents) 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.