Te whakatuwheratanga o Te Tumu Herenga Waka : 6 Tihema 1986, Poneke, Te Whare Wananga o Wikitoria
7a. TE WHATANUI/ KAHUWHANAKE
7a. TE WHATANUI/ KAHUWHANAKE
Te Whatanui of Ngati Raukawa is a descendant of, and nineteen generations after, Hoturoa of the Tainui waka. His lifetime spanned the transition of Te Puawaitanga and Te Huringa 1 periods of Maori art and the evidence is ihat he traversed those years with his rangatiratanga intact. Te Whatanui is known among Ngati Raukawa for his leadership and particularly in coping with the multitude of adversities encountered in relocating his iwi and hapu from Maungatautari and Te Pae-ki-Raukawa (ki Taupo) to the Kapiti Coast. His life's work and mana are also remembered for the generous and dangerous stand which he took in protecting Muaupoko and their relatives against the plans of his matua teina, Te Rauparaha. (see 13a.)
Te Whatanui is honoured by references to him in the waiata of other iwi and writings about him by European historians are consistent with the complementary Maori record. They speak well of his diverse skills and characteristics which in tikanga Maori were, and still are, the hallmarks of rangatiratanga.
Raukawa Marae, Otaki, the principal house of the runanga of Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Toarangatira and Te Atiawa and whare whakairo of hapu and iwi of this runanga have accorded Te Whatanui a place of respect among their treasured carvings as this house has now done. Memories of this mokopuna of Raukawa will be cherished for generations to come in the minds and hearts of those who learn of this success in diplomacy, in war and in providing guidance and protection for his own people and for their neighbours.
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