Legend/Stories
Historical stories provided by Vicky Mae
Te Roro was a Warrior chief. He lived in the early to mid 1700's. He lived at either Mokoia Island or Weriweri pa, Waiteti.
He had many incidents in his life - here are two.
His father Ariariterangi died while trying to recapture the Maketu area from the Rangihouhiri tribes. Te Roro took up the challenge to avenge his father, and to reclaim Maketu.
He raised a large war party and attacked the Rangihouhiri. It did not take long for the battle to swing his way. Te Karauuhirangi, a Rangihouhiri woman, fearing they would all be slain called out to Te Roro and asked if they could be spared.
Though a warrior - Te Roro was similar to his tupuna Whakaue in terms of humarie and aroha - he spared their lives.
He was presented with koha, one being Kaitangata - a mere pounamu. Peace was cemented further by the intermarriage of the two peoples.
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Tamamutu, from Tuwharetoa, was involved in various incidents in Te Arawa. He and Te Roro eventually clashed.
Tamamutu wanted the taonga 'Te Ngako' that Te Roro had. He gifted Te Roro a valuable cloak with the expectation of Te Ngako in return. It did not happen. He also took great offence with the way his messenger was dealt with, and the message that was sent back. This eventually led to the battle of Tahorakurupeti. Te Roro was hopelessly outnumbered. Many of his men fled. To give courage to those remaining he called out:
Ruia taitea. Ruia taitea.
Kia tu ko kaka
Ko ahau anake.
Peel away the bark and outer softwood to reveal the hardwood at the heart of the rakau.
Let those with weak hearts run while I alone stand to fight.
Te Roro was eventually captured and taken back to Taupo. There he was cooked alive in the hangi 'Umukuri'. Though the tinana was eaten, his head was placed on a Kowhai tree at Kowhaiataku. It is from this act that the Te Kowhai whanau have taken their name.
Page last updated 18 Jun 2008
