Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti is a traditional iwi occupying the area from Tawhiti-a-Paoa Tokomaru Bay to Te Toka-a-Taiau Gisborne on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand.
Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti comprises over fifty hapu: from Te Whanau-a-Te Aotawarirangi the northern hapu Tokomaru Bay to Ngati Oneone the southern hapu Gisborne.
Many can trace their whakapapa back to waka that includes Takitimu and Horouta in the Tairawhiti Region; as well as to the famous ancestor Paikea. However, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti trace their whakapapa from Rongomaituaho, grandson of Uenuku and son of Kahutiaterangi, who captained the waka named Tereanini.
Titirangi Maunga is the revered mountain of the iwi.
The sacred river is Uawa-nui-a-Ruamatua dividing the township Tolaga Bay and Hauiti.
About the 16th century, following major political and social upheavals between the three brothers Taua-Ariki, Mahaki-Ewe-Karoro and Hauiti. Hauiti eventually stamped his mana over Uawa (Tolaga Bay) as it is known to many local inhabitants; hence the title of the major tribal group in this area Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, meaning the descendants of Hauiti.
Local hapu and the Hauiti Ariki Whakatataare-o-te-rangi encountered the British explorer Captain James Cook in 1769; including Tupaia the Tahitian who accompanied Cook on his voyage around the pacific.
The Hauiti Ariki Te Kani-a-Takirau was offered in 1854 the Kingite Crown, an honour he politely and wisely declined.
Read more about Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti: Notable Members, Marae, See Also