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NGATI HAU
Ngati Hau is one of over three hundred hapu resident within the traditional boundary of Te Whare
Tapu o Ngapuhi and is located in both Hokianga and Whangarei. Ngati Hau ki Whangarei originate
from Omanaia/Oue, Hokianga. The story of that separation was related by Ranginui Maihi 4 respected
Ngapuhi kaumatua at a Wananga which I attended at Tauwhara Marae, Waimate North in 1980. He
spoke of the Ngati Hau chief, Hautakowera and his two sons. The youngest son Kahukuri had a
disagreement with his elder brother and left Omanaia, finally settling on lands between Kawakawa and
Whangarei. Ngati Hau acquired lands once occupied by Ngaitahuhu iwi through conquest,
occupation, gift and marriage.
As a child I was unaware that the whanau and land at Omanaia was Ngati Hau, that both my parents
were tamariki atawhai (Maori adoption) and that my maternal grandfather was Ngati Hau. An atawhai
grandmother, Rewa Ngakuru was the last kuia left in Omanaia. She had outlived several children, her
brothers in law, nephews and her generation. My tupuna Rewa would karanga, mihi and waiata on Te
Piiti Marae, Omanaia until her demise in her 90‟s.
NGATI HAU KI OMANAIA
Ko Ngatokimatawhaorua te waka
Ko Hokianga Whakapau Karakia te moana
Ko Ngapukehaua me Pukehuia nga maunga
Ko Te Piiti te Marae
Ko Omanaia te kainga
Ko Ngati Hau me Ngati Kaharau nga hapu 5
4 Ranginui Maihi, a contemporary of Sir James Henare, Hohepa Toki Pangari, Tawai Kawiti, Hone Heihei & Taupuhi Eruera
5 B. Korewha, Submission to Waitangi Tribunal, WAI 1040 10.5.2010.
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