Ngati-Ira, of Waikaremoana.

The Ngati-Ira who now live among the Ngati-Ruapani hapu of Ngati-Kahuhunu at Waikaremoana are a portion of the tribe of that name who originally occupied a large portion of the country now held by the Ngati-Porou and Aitanga-a-Hauiti tribes of the East Coast. The history of Ngati-Ira has been a most adventurous one and the survivors of the famous Pakaurangi pa have wandered far and wide in search of a resting place. Some fled inland to the great [unclear: Huia-iua] range and some to Waikato. A detachment to Napier and thence to southern Wader Rere-kinkio marched to irarapa, whence ihey spread as far as Pae-kakariki and held their own there for seven generations, being finally destroyed by Ngati-Awa and Ngati-Toa under Te Rauparaha and others about 1835. Yet another division of Ngati-Ira fled to Opotiki where their descendants may still be found. From these come the Ngati Jea of Waikare-moana having left the Opotiki branch four generations ago, when they went to Ruatahuna under Te Hautu; afterwards moving on to Lake Waikaremoana where they now live, Te Puke-o-Tu being the principal man among them.

These Ngati-Ira have become closely connected with the Mataatua people as the following genealogy will show :—Muniwai, Rangikurukurua, Irapuaia, Rongomatauriki. [unclear: Tamatis] Te Nanaio, Huakai, Tutapuis, [unclear: T] Rehu, Tutakahiao, Te Rehu II, [unclear: T] angipaongntai, Toma, Marnier, [unclear: M] Puke-o-Tu, Te Mapu.