Tainui History

Rights Information
Year
1968
Reference
44271
Media type
Audio
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Rights Information
Year
1968
Reference
44271
Media type
Audio
Duration
00:20:00
Taonga Māori Collection
Yes
Credits
RNZ Collection
Ngata, Apirana Turupa (b.1874, d.1950)
Murupaenga, Herewini, 1937- (b.1937)
Te Puea Herangi, Princess of the Maori, 1883-1952

Selwyn Muru tells the story of two Waikato brothers namely, Whatihua and Turongo. The tale begins at Kawhia and ends at Turangawaewae.

Tawhao a young chief of Waikato decent whose word was mana and law and often leading his people out of the darkness and into light courted a beautiful Māori wahine of high birth, named Maru te Hiakina. Whilst their marriage was a happy marriage, they remained childless.

Tawhao wanted children, in particular a son to perpetuate his mana and deeds. As was the custom of those times, he courted his wife's twin sister Punui te Kore and became Tawhao's (puna rua) second wife. Both sisters lived as co-wives of Tawhao, and in time, both became pregnant.

Maru te Hiakina begat Whatihua who married Ruaputahanga ka hono te waka o Aotea ki Waikato. He maha nga uri

Punui te Kore begat Turongo and married Mahinarangi ka hono te waka o Horouta ki Waikato he maha ano nga uri.

[N.B. Researcher notes a beautiful story told by Herewini [Selwyn] Murupaenga.]