Te Kotahi ā Tūhoe

 
Being Tuhoe

Being Tūhoe

Tūhoe Pōtiki

whakapapa

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Who was Tūhoe?

  • Tūhoe was born & raised in the Rūātoki district about 1100AD
  • He finally settled with his own family and children at Ōwhakatoro (west of Rūātoki)
  • Tūhoe was the great-grandson of Toroa who captained the Mātaatua waka in the great migration across the Pacific Ocean from Hawaiiki in Eastern Polynesia to Aotearoa approximately 10,000 kilometres
  • His Kuia Wairaka is well known in the district for having uttered the words "Kia Whakatāne au i ahau" which gave rise to the name of the town Whakatāne and the river
  • Tūhoe's mother Paewhiti was the daughter of the Priest Tāneatua who was the spiritual guide on the waka Mātaatua and is a well known explorer who gave many place names throughout Te Urewera - the homeland of Tūhoe.  Tāneatua is celebrated as the founder of the original houses of learning that secured traditional knowledge, history and customs

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Why was the iwi named after Tūhoe Pōtiki?

 

Tūhoe made the decision not to live his life under the authority of his older brother Ueimua but to achieve self determination and liberty he convinced his older brother Tāne-moeahi to be an ally in his battle to take power which was achieved at Paemahoe now known as Te Ahi Manawa near Ōwhakatoro. 

Te Ahi Manawa refers to the ritual of taking the heart of your opponent and therefore their authority and integrity.  Great wars followed this action by Tūhoe, families were divided, new allegiances were created and political territories shifted.  Generations were caught up in the aftermath of this event.  Descendents & supporters of Tūhoe came to identify themselves by his name and by his cause.

How did he end up?

Exhaused by the fighting and insecurity Tūhoe left the Rūātoki district to find Peace and anonymity at Kawhia Harbour (West Coast) where his Uncle Mahanga lived.  We know that Tūhoe married a local woman and died there.

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His Children

We know of four marriages and the children from each marriage.

  • Murakareke the eldest son, inherited his fathers mana (mantle) and continued the struggle to secure Tūhoe nationhood and Te Urewera as a political state, however this was not achieved until the next generation.  For more information see Elsdon Best's book - Tūhoe - The Children of the Mist.

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What is the structure of Tūhoe the tribe?

As with most other Polynesian & Māori societies Tūhoe acknowledges links and obligations at the following levels.

Maori

A generic term and concept identifying people and tribes by ethnicity and culture.  Most obviously used abroad and in national and international settings on the basis of shared language, culture and identity features.  Examples:  Maori Womens Welfare League, NZ Maori Council, Maori Political Party, NZ Maori Sports Teams, Te Maori Exhibition.

Waka

The broadest level of connections with other tribal groups confirms common origins without specific responsibilities and obligations.  eg: from the Mātaatua waka are Ngāti Awa, Whakatōhea, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Manawa, Nga Puhi, Ngati Pukenga and Tūhoe.

Iwi

Nationhood - political grouping of extended families for the purpose and view of achieving gains, prosperity, peace and security.

Hapū

The engine house of Māori and Tūhoe society people lived everyday in combined extended family communities.  Hapū were inidependent economic groups with defined territories and acknowledges obligations and relationships that brought about a state of interdependence.  Hapū expressed their culture, language and identity through customs and practises best performed on their Marae.

Rohe

A collection of hapu by natural geography where cooperation and collaboration is agreed as the most effective means of achieving shared strategic goals.  Example:  Waikaremoana, Ruatahuna, Ruatoki, Waimana

Whānau

Foundation nest of Māori and Tūhoe society, these were traditionally three generation households led by Kaumātua, freeing up the parents to be able to provide for the whānau and grandchildren.  In modern times the whanau is multifaceted.  Example:  single parent families, work interest rather than kin related whanau, second marriage whanau, multicultural whanau.

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What is Tūhoetanga?

Perhaps language, perhaps culture and perhaps identity.  This identifies you as different, significantly draws attention to you and your kind.  Cultural identity is at risk through globalisation, colonisation and urbanisation.  Tūhoe recognises the threat to their 'being Tūhoe' and continues to be interested in finding ways to accentuate and activate the Tūhoetanga of it's people.

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How do I know that I am Tūhoe?

There are privileges and rewards from being Tūhoe, yet these can only be rightfully claimied through meeting your obligations and tasks as a Tūhoe.  It is the duty of whānau, hapū to teach Tūhoe values, Tūhoe beliefs and principles, customs, traditions and language to the next generation.  The iwi has responsibilities as well to provide access to such information.

If you think that you are of Tūhoe descent, complete your registration form below and send it to;

Te Kotahi ā Tūhoe
Freepost TE KOTAHI
PO Box 47
TĀNEATUA     3123

pdf Download TKAT registration form

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