Marae History
NGĀ HEKENGA
Before 1819, Ngāti Raukawa and Ngāti Toa both lived in the north, at Maungatautari and Kāwhia respectively. It wasn't until later that year that Ngāti Toa migrated to the Manawatū, Horowhenua and Wellington areas.
Soon after their migration word arrived at Maungatautari that they had been defeated and had perished. Subsequently, Ngāti Raukawa despatched a travelling party who arrived at Otaki and found that the rumour was a lie. They lived and were fit and healthy.
Ngāti Raukawa soon returned to Maungatautari with one of the leaders, Te Ahukaramū taking up a challenge from Waitohi, sister to Te Rauparaha. He had to convince Ngāti Raukawa to migrate to the south and after becoming incensed with the people's refusal, he ordered that their houses be burnt down. This finally induced them to leave and the first of many migrations took place, the three most important being;
1. "Te Heke Whirinui" referring to the unusually large weaving on the edges of their mats. Led by Te Ahukaramu.
2. "Te Heke Kariritahi" evolving from the single cartridge rifles that many carried along the way and under the leadership of Nepia Taratoa.
3. "Te Heke Mairaro" meaning the great migration from below with Te Whatanui leading them south.
Te Hekenga Mairaro was seen to be the greatest migration of Ngāti Raukawa with the majority of those left, accompanying it.
Within this group were many descendants of the great female rangatira, Parewahawaha who had married a paramount chief of Ngāti Tuuwharetoa, Te Rangipumamao and because of this relationship, the migration passed through the western shores of Taupo-nui-a-Tia, so that they may rest and gather strength.
Tradition tells us that Manomano chose to stay in this area and settled at Waihaha where she rests today. Instead it was her son Te Ngako who continued on south, eventually, to settle at Rangitikei with his whanaunga from Ngāti Parewahawaha. We are his descendants.
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Ko Te Rauparaha tenei
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ESTABLISHMENT OF NGĀTI MANOMANO
The idea of a new hapū was first raised in the 1940's during a conversation between our koroua Kereama Te Ngako and his daughter Rangiamohia. He stated;
"E Rangi, kei te whanga ake ahau kia pakake ake ō koutou tūngane, ka whakatū tētehi tūpakipaki mō koutou"
His dream was that one day his sons would build a turangawaewae for the family. Subsequently, at that time preparations were already underway for Ohinepuhiawe marae. Our whānau were spread throughout the rohe and became actively involved in this marae and many others over the years.
But it wasn't until the early 1980's after a Kereama whānau reunion that the issue was raised again. It was obvious that the whānau was growing bigger and when a issue arose at Ohinepuhiawe, it was decided that the whānau should take this opportunity to fulfil the vision of our koroua and become masters of own destination. Forming a new hapū and establishing a new marae seemed a logical step and would allow the whānau to continue to hold on to the things that were important in our culture.
Although many discussions and plans had been already made, the first meeting was held on Sunday 13th November, 1983 at the New Caledonian Hall, Feilding. This was to be the first of many and with representatives of each family and each generation present, the elders sort the support of the whānau. They shared their vision and although it seemed overwhelming, the idea was simple.
"Our forebears had embarked on such journeys in the past centuries. Our Tupuna respected the sacred land, the waterways, the plants, the birds, the fish, and the animals. To keep the balance with nature, from time to time, whānau, hapu or iwi would move to fresh areas. This was for their very survival." (Source: Taumata o te rā marae opening booklet)
Before long their enthusiasm wore everyone down and their vision became a shared endeavour. Thus Taumata o te rā, the new dawning, was established with our hapū of Ngāti Manomano being born.
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Ko Ohinepuhiawe marae tenei
Ko Parewahawaha te whare tupuna
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WHO IS MANOMANO?
Manomano was born in the late 1700's and is said to have lived to over 100 years old although there is no written evidence of her birth or death dates. Manomano was the daughter of Pareraukawa and granddaughter to the great chiefainess Parewahawaha.
As described above Manomano did not accompany her brother Te Whatanui south on the migrations, instead she stayed and lived on the shore of Lake Taupo. There is a Pātere remembered that she composed and it is because of this that we know she lived amongst the family of her grandfather Te Rangipūmamao in Ngāti Te Kohera. "E noho ana i te whanga" was said to be composed in reply to many jealous remarks from other women about her. This name Manomano was chosen because of her strong whakapapa links.
Parewahawaha her grandmother was a strong leader and in recognition had a hapu named after her as well as a Whare Tūpuna that currently stands upon Ohinepuhiawe in Bulls. Secondly her mother Pareraukawa was also known for her strength and is remembered through a hapu in the Hokio area. Finally Manomano a chieftainess in her own right is acknowledged as a hapū, and a Whare Tūpuna for her descendants.
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RELATIONSHIPS TO OTHER HAPŪ
We have many whakapapa links throughout Ngāti Raukawa, but in particular, as descendants of Huia and Parewahawaha we are recognised under the collective known as ‘Te Ngare o Huia' which means the descendants of Huia. These hapū and marae are also a part of the collective; • Ngāti Parewahawaha ki Ohinpuhiawe marae, Bulls
• Ngāti Huia ki Huia marae, Poroutawhao
• Ngāti Huia ki Matau marae, Poroutawhao
• Ngāti Pareraukawa ki Ngatokowaru marae, Hokio
• Ngāti Kikopiri ki Kikopiri marae, Muhunoa
• Ngāti Huia ki Katihiku marae, Otaki
• Ngāti Manomano ki Taumata o te ra, Halcombe The carvings that decorate the whare tupuna Manomano also show the many connections to whānau and marae throughout the Rangitikei to Manawatū area. | 
Ko te whare o Manomano tenei
Ko Manomano te whare tupuna
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NGĀ MARAE O TE ROHEThe following map shows the marae of the Te Ati Awa, Ngati Raukawa and Ngati Toarangatira (A.R.T) confederation of tribes.
Page last updated 4 Jan 2010
