The Coming of the Ancestors 

Centuries ago, an adventurous race sailed into the unknown in search of land. Somewhere in the mystical past, beyond the ocean pathways of the Pacific, was their homeland, Hawaiki.

Our ancestors’ waka, Kurahaupo, called in at Rangitahua, the Ker­madec Islands.

The waka was in need of repair.

They lashed it together with strong rope from their ocean nets. Then they continued their voyage, following the stars to the land of their dreams.

Somewhere in the distance that dream was glimmering, as the waves crashed on the shores of Aotearoa.

The puratoke, phosphorescent in the dark, illumined the cliffs, as Whitirea greeted The Land of the Long White Cloud.

Daylight came and a red haze covered the land. Ngaru pae whenua, the shoreward wave, gently lapped around the fragile waka.

Our tupuna passed a little island, created only when the high tide separates it from the mainland.

The rangatira declared, “Ko muri o te motu.” (‘Tis the end of the land!)

Still seeking shelter, our ancestors moved through turbulent waters to find sanctuary in a tidal creek that runs into Takapaukura (Tom Bowling Bay)

Here the waka sank. The wailing of the people of the waka was heard by the people of the land — the tangata whenua known to us as our early forbears.

The area where the wailing was heard still carries the name Waitangi, the weeping waters. This is not the Waitangi of the Bay of Islands; this is the Waitangi of the Far North.

To this day a solid rock still stands in the bay. The black huamutu (neritas) and limpets create natural patterns through the moving sands of time to build a foundation on solid rock.

This rock is known as Kurahaupo Rock.

It has been pounded through the centuries by the ocean currents. Undeniably, this is the landmark of our people. A courageous and noble race, the ancestors of Tohe our tupuna, and also the generations of today.

The Story of Tohe

In the days of long ago, the fame of the beautiful women of the Ngati Kuri tribe attracted the interest of the chiefs of Ngati Whatua of Orakei, Auckland, who came to court the maidens of Te Hiku o te Ika a Maui.

The most beautiful was the daughter of Tohe. She was chosen for the wife of a chief.

Many years later, when Tohe was an old man, he summoned the tribe together and told them he must go and look for her. He was missing his daughter, and wanted to see her again before he died. The tribe, knowing that Tohe would have to pass through enemy territory on his journey, begged him not to leave. He refused to be dissuaded, but told the people, “If I die you must snatch my spirit, as it will surely pass this way on its journey to Te Rerenga Wairua.”

Hence the place is now called Kapowairua, ‘catch the spirit’. Tohe is remembered in this whakatauki: