page 17

4a. PAIKEA and RUATAPU

There has always been some doubt amongst the descendants of Paikea about his genealogies. In the Te tangi a Rangiuia mo Tuterangiwhaitiri" he is tama, the son of Rongomaitahanui.

• Ko Rauru tena, ka tukua e koe
• Ki a Awatikokino,
• Kia man e hika ki a Whatonga e,
• Kia Ruarangi e ki a Poutiriao,
• Ko te Manutohikura, Ko Taneuarangi,
• Ka noho ko Rongomaitahamii,
• Ko Tama, ko Paikea
• He Tahu akonga na te wheruia
• Ka whiti ki a Kahutia e ......

This reference shows Paikea to be a descendant of Toi and hence is of tangata-whenua status. The whakapapa by Dewes shows Paikea as the son of Uenuku who was an important ancestor in the traditions of the East coast.

According to the story Paikea's younger brother Ruatapu held a grudge against all his brothers, for he was their junior and thought that the respect given by his father, Uenuku and the people, to his elder brother should be his. Spitefully he schemed a plot to kill them. Ruatapu bored a hole in a canoe and invited his elders to go fishing with him. Once at sea and when land could no longer be seen, he unplugged the hole allowing water to flood and sink the canoe and then he beat them with his paddle, however, Ruatapu was among those who died, and only Paikea survived. Through the powers that Paikea had inherited from his mother he was transported safely to shore. He landed at Ahuahu, from where he made a slow journey down the eastern coastline in search of a home. Along the way he left many wives and children. When he arrived at a place which resembled his former home he decided to settle. He named this place Whangara-mai-tawhiti.

In still other 'raditions Paikea is a descendant of Te Whironui the captain of the Nukutere canoe.

The song 'Paikea" is like a tribal anthem among the Tairawhiti people and is as popular now as it has been for years.