When Taraia and his Ngati Kahungunu followers invaded Heretaunga around 1550, they found three distinct tribal groups in occupation of the land. Firstly, Ngati Whatumamoa who dwelt around the shores of Te Whanganui a Orotu; their principal fortress was Heipipi above Bay View with outposts at Tuteranuku and Tiheruheru. Secondly, Ngati Awa which was founded by the ancestor Koaupari lived at Otatara. And lastly the third grouping was Ngati Rangitane and Ngai Tara, who shared common ancestry through descent from Toi Kairakau and Whatonga. Their territory was to the south of the Ngaruroro River, with pa sites at Tanenuiarangi, Te Awanga and Waitahora.
The story of how Taraia laid siege to the twin pa of Otatara and how he finally captured Hikurangi: the upper pa is well known. Turauwha, the high chief, managed to hold Otatara and an uneasy peace treaty was established. Taraia returned to Wairoa to gather the women and children and set up camp at the mouth of the Ngaruroro River where kahawai was plentiful. He named the area Te Ipu o Taraia. He paid a second visit to Otatara taking the women and children as well this time. Seen from a distance they looked like a bigger war party than the first one. Turauwha was alarmed and withdrew to Tuhirangi, his country retreat across the Tutaekuri River from Dartmoor.
By this action, Turauwha surrendered his mana to Taraia and Ngati Kuhungunu and allowed them to occupy strategic sites controlling the main food sources. A saying survives from this time “The land is Turauwha’s but the mana is Taraia’s”. During the winter following the invasion, Turauwha and his family survived on kereru and other birds at Puketitiri. He had three children by his Ngati Whatumamoa wife Kuratawhiti II. They were Tumahuki, Pahau and Rakaitekura. The majority of his followers fled the province to places like upper Manawatu, Pohangina and Taranaki.
When the bird-snaring season ended, Turauwha and his remaining followers were faced with starvation and returned to the shellfish beds at Poraiti where they threw themselves on the mercy of Taraia. He agreed for them to re-occupy Tuhirangi on condition that they bring up his nephew Rangituehu to be a chief over them. In due course, Rangituehu married Rakaitekura, the daughter of Turauwha. The marriage was believed to have been arranged by Turauwha and Taraia.
Furthermore, Hineiao, the daughter of this marriage was betrothed to Rangitaumaha, the son of Taraia. This merging of the bloodlines made it less likely that there would be continuing pockets of resistance to Ngati Kahungunu and established the mana rangatira of Heretaunga, which continues today.
The marriage of Rangituehu and Rakaitekura took place at Mataotao on the Tutaekuri River above Moteo. Their territory extended up the Tutaekuri to Mangaone, where the remains of several of their pa can be seen today. They had three children, Hineiao (F), Tuaka and Kehu. When Hineiao married Taraia’s son Rangitaumaha, they went to live at Oueroa pa on the Rahuirua ridge above Lake Rotokare. They had eight children, the first four being daughters, Te Huhuti, Ruatiti, Manuitiatoi and Parengenge. Then followed four sons; Taraia II, Hinehore, Hikateko and Kaiaotea. Kaiaotea went to Tongariro.
Taraia I Turauwha
Rangituehu = Rakaitekura (F) (Hineiao, Tuaka, Kehu)
Rangitaumaha = Hineiao (F)
(Te Huhuti, Ruatiti, Manuitiatoi, Parengenge, Taraia II, Hinehore, Hikateko, Kaiaotea)
The relationship of the hapu of Moteo, Omahu and Waiohiki stems from this generation.
Te Huhuti (F) Taraia II Hinehore Hikateko
Hikawera II Hinemanu Honomokai (Ngati Hinepare)
(Ngati Parau) Tarahe Rangituouru
(Ngati Hinemanu) (Ngai Te Upokoiri)
The children of Rangitaumaha and Hineiao grew up at Oueroa. Te Huhuti married Te Whatuiapiti and went to join him at Lake Roto a Tara. The three sons, Taraia II, Hinehore and Hikateko lived together at Motukumara on Lake Oingo until the time of their marriages. Eventually their father settled them on the land.
Taraia II, was the eldest son and he settled on the lands west of Omahu which were occupied by Ngati Ruapirau. His inheritance included Ohiti, Matapiro, Otamauri, Omahaki and the portions of Okawa, Tunanui and Kohurau in the Ngaruroro watershed.
Hinehore was placed at the lower end of Lake Oingo. His lands included the Otupaopao flats around Omahu. He extended south to the old Ngaruroro River near Roy’s Hill and north to the base of Oueroa pa. He married Hineiringa of Ngati Hinemoa. His influence declined in generations to come and it was the descent of his two brothers who founded ongoing hapu.
The third brother was Hikateko. His inheritance included the north and eastern shores of Lake Oingo extending north and northeast to the Tutaekuri River. This included Pirau, Moteo and Tuhirangi. He extended his influence north of the Tutaekuri River by marrying Huakirangi of Ngai Tamawahine whose marriage dowry included Puketapu, Wharerangi, Poraiti and Rissington, Patoka and Puketitiri as well. Hikateko is the ancestor for Ngati Hinepare.