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7b. PUHI- KAI- ARIKI/PUHI- MOANA-ARIKI

Puhi-kai-ariki was the younger brother of Toroa (the commander of the Mataatua canoe, See 4b.) Rahiri-te-rangi was the name of the house built by Puhi at Whakatane on a spur of land from Kapu-te-rangi to Kohi point (the remains of this house can still seen today). Puhi's pa was also called Rahiri.

When Iraweka (the father of Toroa and Puhi) farewelled the Mataatua canoe from Hawaiki he said that Toroa, being the eldest, should oversee all the activities and ceremonies pertaining to agriculture, house-building and maawe or talisman.

However Puhi was jealous of his older brother's responsibilities and strove to take over the management of important rites. This led to quarrelling between the brothers. Puhi received his full name PUHI-KAI-ARIKI (eater of the elder born) through the abusive words in song that he hurled at Toroa.

The quarrelling became so bitter that Puhi decided to take the Mataatua canoe and seek a home somewhere else. All the people of Mataatua followed Puhi leaving Toroa and the six members of his family.

Puhi eventually settled in the north and became known as Puhi-moana-Ariki and became the (eponymous) ancestor after whom the Ngapuhi take their name.