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Tuwhakatere has been described as the most prestigious ancestor of the Ngai Takoto tribe with a lineage that traces back to Kauri, the Ngati Awa chief who lived in the Pukepoto/ Ahipara area, and to Tumoana, the captain of the Tinana waka and a northern chief. Ngai Takoto’s connection with the Kurahaupo canoe goes back through their foundation to Ngati Kaharoa. Also, the two wives of Tuwhakatere had lineal descent from Pohurihanga. Tuterangiatohia was a descendant of Te Pohurihanga’s son Whatakaimarie, and Tupoia, a Ngati Kahu chiefly woman, descended from Tumoana. Tuwhakatere’s own descent line from Tumoana comes down through Moenga, Te Whata and Moengarau. From Tuwhakatere’s first marriage came three grandchildren, of whom one Maui, was key ancestor for the Paatu tribal group in Peria. This makes it an offshoot of NgaiTakoto. From Tuwhakatere’s second marriage, to Tupoia, there were several children.⠀
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One of them, Wahanui, a notable warrior, grew resistive at his subordinate position to his older brothers and decided to carve out a kingdom for himself elsewhere. His brothers decided to help him, but when the youngest one, Hoka, who had a clubfoot, decided he wanted to go too. Tuwhakatere tried to stop him but was unsuccessful. Hoka was killed in battle and Tuwhakatere, now grown old, subsequently lay down (takoto) and pined away in great sorrow (whakamomoritanga) for his youngest son Hoka and subsequently died, from his overwhelming grief. Hence from which the tribes name sprung forth, Ngai Takoto. ⠀
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An elder of the tribe, Maori Marsden, stated there was no doubt about the area belonging to Ngai Takoto: “Where the sand shark (pioke) swims out in the bay that defines that land that is ours”. However, there is no doubt that the three significant locations in the tribal heartland at that time were: Houhora, Waimanoni and on Te Make (near Kaitaia). Of these three Waimanoni was the most important. This probably has something to do with its position close to Rangaunu Bay with its resources of fish, its waterway for canoes, and its suitability for gardening. NgaiTakoto could afford to be lavish.
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