TE HEKE O TANGIHARURU​

Welcome to Ngāti Manawa’s website which is dedicated to the celebrated Ngā Ariki of Ngāti Manawa, a lineage of leaders whose lives and legacies are woven into the very fabric of our whenua and whakapapa. These are not just names from the past; they are the embodiment of mana whenua, the spiritual and temporal powers that bind us to our whenua and to each other. Each Ariki carried the weight of their responsibilities with honour, leading our people through times of war and peace, of plenty and want. From Tangiharuru, the noted warrior and explorer who established our ancestral boundaries, to Mokai, who symbolised our enduring presence on the land, their stories are a testament to our resilience and unity.

As you navigate through this space, you will encounter the tales of these extraordinary individuals, warriors, strategists, and custodians of our traditions. They walked the lands of Whirinaki, Kuhawaea, and Kaingaroa, leaving their indelible marks upon the landscape and in the hearts of their people. They resisted land sales, fought in crucial battles, and upheld the sacred practice of ahi ka, ensuring that our home fires were never extinguished. Their final resting places at Tawhiuau, Te Heru Urupa, and other sacred sites are hallowed grounds that remind us of our enduring connection to our tupuna and our commitment to safeguarding their legacy for future generations.