Hinehakirirangi was the sister of Paoa, captain of Horouta canoe.
According to east coast oral traditions Horouta began it’s journey from the
Gisborne region. It traveled up to Hawaiki under the leadership of Kahukura to
collect seed kumara. When they were ready to return Kahukura decided to stay on
and he made Paoa captain for the journey back to Aotearoa. Paoa’s sister
Hinehakirirangi was given the task of protecting the tapu of the kumara. Whenever they boarded the canoe Hinehakirirangi would always be first.
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Hine Hakirirangi and her pet Riroriro |
She
would straddle the bargeboards of the canoe and all who followed her would pass
between her legs thus removing any tapu they may possess. When they left the
canoe the process was the same but in reverse. While she was onboard
Hinehakirirangi would also be responsible for the kumara seed itself. When
Horouta canoe eventually arrived back on the Tairawhiti, Hinehakirirangi
returned to her home at Papatewhai, near Te Muriwai. From there she set about
looking for suitable land to grow the kumara. As she walked along the riroriro
accompanied her and sang it’s favourite song. Hinehakirirangi walked the length
of Oneroa beach.
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Hine Hakirirangi lived at Papatewhai |
Then she walked along Onepoto but still she could not find a
good spot. She turned inland and walked the banks of Te Arai River. After a
while she climbed up into the foothills and came upon a piece of land that made
her heart tremble. It was perfect and even the riroriro was impressed as it
began to sing “tanu kai, tanu kai” (time to plant, time to plant).
Hinehakirirangi named this place Manawaru (trembling heart) and there she dug
her garden. She planted her kumara and soon the entire district had access to
the valuable plant.
Local History...
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Moana Kemp (along with my dad) was a Ngai Tamanuhiri kaumatua (80s-90s) |
Tena nga mihi whanui atu ra..
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