Ngāti Tūwharetoa

Ngāti Tūwharetoa
Iwi of New Zealand
Eastern Lake Taupo, Turangi to Taupo
Rohe (region)	Central North Island
Waka (canoe)	Arawa
Population	35,877
Website	http://www.tuwharetoa.iwi.nz/

Ngāti Tūwharetoa is an iwi (Māori tribe) descended from Ngātoro-i-rangi, the priest who navigated the Arawa canoe to New Zealand. The Tūwharetoa region extends from Te Awa o te Atua (Tarawera River) at Matata across the central plateau of the North Island to the lands around Mount Tongariro and Lake Taupo.

Tūwharetoa is the sixth largest iwi in Aotearoa with a population of 35,877 (NZ Census 2013) comprising a number of hapu (subtribes) represented by 33 marae. This collective is bound together by the legacy of Ngātoro-i-rangi as epitomised in the Ariki (Paramount Chief), the current reigning Paramount Chief is Te Ariki Dr. Sir. Tumu Te Heuheu. 40% of Ngāti Tūwharetoa are under the age of 15.

Ngāti Tūwharetoa are descendants of the eponymous male warrior Tūwharetoa i te Aupouri. He was born as in Onepu (Kawerau) ca. 1300. The main Tribal areas of his people are based from Te Awa o te Atua in Matata to Tongariro. He gains his mana principally from the powerful tohunga and navigator Ngātoro-i-rangi who piloted the great waka Te Arawa from Hawaiki to Aotearoa & also the great navigator Toroa of the Mataatua waka. Ngātoro-i-rangi was tricked onto the Te Arawa waka by the chief Tama-te-kapua as it was considered good luck to have him aboard. He was originally destined to travel aboard the Tainui waka. This greatly angered Ngātoro-i-rangi and his disdain and animosity of the Te Arawa chief led to his leaving the group soon after arrival.

In Aotearoa they made landfall at Te Awa o Te Atua, and Ngātoro-i-rangi departed heading inland to Te Takanga i o Apa (Kawerau area), thence to Ruawahia where he encountered the monstrous Tama o Hoi and eventually reaching Taupo district where he climbed Mount Tauhara.