Hapu of Tangoio

The hapu that are based at Tangoio are Marangatuhetaua (Ngati Tu), Ngai Tatara, Ngati Kurumokihi and Ngai Te Ruruku (ki Tangoio).  The following is a brief traditional history of each of the hapu.

Ngati Marangatuhetaua (Ngati Tu)

Toi Te Huatahi alias Toi Kairakau, the famous navigator and seafarer established his southern most Pa at Tangoio.  From his son Awanuiarangi descended Te Koaupari paramount and founding chief of Otatara Pa.  From Te Koaupari descended Tukapua 1st founding ancestor of Ngati Tu.

Ngati Tu traces it ancestry back to Toi and the original people who settled the lands.  Ngati Tu occupation has survived and endured the challenges of the ages up to the present day.

Ngai Tatara / Ngati Kurumokihi

After Kahungunu gained occupation over Maungaharuru Tangitu lands through the colonising chiefs Kahutapere 2nd and Tikorua, Taraia 1st delegated responsibility to them to exercise rangatiratanga over the land and its coastline.

Kahutapere 2nd and Hineterangi’s son, Tataramoa, is the founding ancestor of Ngai Tatara (moa) and later Ngati Kurumokihi.  Tataramoa married Porangi, daughter of the Ngati Tu chief, Kohipipi of the Te Pohue, Kaiwaka and Tangoio district.  These marriage alliances between the invading Ngati Kahungunu and the tangata whenua brought with it a stabilizing influence over the region.  It guaranteed that the occupation of the tangata whenua remained undisturbed, but Kahungunu had established its mana and rangatiratanga over the land.

Ngati Whakaari

Whakaari is a descendant of Ngati Tu chief, Kohipipi, through his son Te Kaupeka.  He is the founding chief of Ngati Whakaari who live at Petane and are a sept of Ngati Tu.

Ngai Te Ruruku ki Tangoio

In the era of the warlord Marangatuhetaua, friction broke out between his people of Ngati Tu and Te Hika a Rautangata who were encroaching on the food stores and fishing grounds of Ngati Tu and Ngai Tatara at Tangoio.

Seeking assistance, Marangatu had heard that a Wairoa chief, Te Ruruku, son of Te Kapuamatotoru was paying a visit to his uncle Te Kahu o Te Rangi at Mohaka and so made a special trip up to Mohaka to discuss his problems.

The result of this visit was that he persuaded Te Ruruku to come down to assist in expelling the troublesome element.  Together they waged war against Te Hika a Te Rautangata and defeated them.  Te Ruruku was invited by Ngati Tu to live amongst them.  Tribal archives record:

Ko Waipatiki na Marangatu i tuku ki a Te Ruruku.
Land was gained by Ngai Te Ruruku through tuku whenua. 

The hapu Ngai Te Ruruku gained their occupation rights through tuku whenua and were specific to the descendants of Manu o Meke who was a warlord over the district in his time.