Tuhikura Hika

Excert taken from Hongi Hika Warrior Chief by Dorothy Urlich Cloher 2003

Hongi's mother Tuhikura, believed to have had a strong influence on his life, came from the Whangaroa area, and belonged to the Ngati Kahu tribe (although it may not have been called this at this early stage). Where Tuhikura was born is uncertain, though Hemi Tupe claims Matanehunehu, a small inlet just north of Taupo Bay where Pa Island stands and Mita Hape makes a claim for Pukekahikatoa in the Pupuke area. It is possible that her whanau had moved onto Pupuke, south-west of Whangaroa Harbour, which some evidence in the Touwai Block Maori Land Court Minute Book claimed as her father Te Puta, Tuhikura's grandfathers major place of residence. However Mita Hape maintained that the occupation of Te Pupuke bu the Tahawai hapu was mainly the work of Te Puta's son, Tahapango (Tuhikura's father), and that Pukekahikatoa and Taumatapukepuke belonged to Tahapango. So it is most likely that Mita Hape's claim for Pukekahikatoa as the birthplace of Tuhikura is correct. Te Pupuke became the possession of his whanau after he appropriated it from the original Ngati Awa tribe and specifically Ngati Rangi.

Hongi's mother Tuhikura, believed to have had a strong influence on his life, came from the Whangaroa area, and belonged to the Ngati Kahu tribe (although it may not have been called this at this early stage). Where Tuhikura was born is uncertain, though Hemi Tupe claims Matanehunehu, a small inlet just north of Taupo Bay where Pa Island stands and Mita Hape makes a claim for Pukekahikatoa in the Pupuke area. It is possible that her whanau had moved onto Pupuke, south-west of Whangaroa Harbour, which some evidence in the Touwai Block Maori Land Court Minute Book claimed as her father Te Puta, Tuhikura's grandfathers major place of residence. However Mita Hape maintained that the occupation of Te Pupuke bu the Tahawai hapu was mainly the work of Te Puta's son, Tahapango (Tuhikura's father), and that Pukekahikatoa and Taumatapukepuke belonged to Tahapango. So it is most likely that Mita Hape's claim for Pukekahikatoa as the birthplace of Tuhikura is correct. Te Pupuke became the possession of his whanau after he appropriated it from the original Ngati Awa tribe and specifically Ngati Rangi.