INTRODUCING THE "TUATAHI" COLLECTION

Tuatahi is a tribute to our ancestral heritage, specifically acknowledging the distinguished lineage of Te Waiariki. Noteworthy is the Te Waiariki genealogy, originating from the significant unions of Te Uhi o Te Rangi and Tūkaiteuru, prominent chiefs of Te Waiariki, with Ngāi Tāhuhu sisters Te Huaki and Te Kahuwhero. The bestowal of mana from Te Tuatahi of Ngāi Tāhuhu played a pivotal role in establishing these unions and securing authority for their descendants over the mana of Te Waiariki.  

Te Mawe, a descendant of these unions, inherited mana over the land and resources, tracing his lineage through his maternal grandfather, Tuatahi of Ngai Tahuhu—an ancient tribe and the original inhabitants of the region. On his paternal side, Te Mawe's grandfather, Rangitauwawaro, hailed from Hokianga, and his people were affiliated with Ngapuhi. Despite the historical presence of Ngapuhi tribes in the region, Te Waiariki maintained autonomy, remaining unsubjugated.  

The Te Waiariki rohe encompasses expansive territories, including extensive coastal and inland areas along Tai Tama Wāhine, comprising significant stretches of moana and awa, as well as the ngahere.  

Recognition is extended to Tuatahi's wife, Ruapapa, who also has Ngāi Tāhuhu connections.  

Consequently, Tuatahi 2024 serves as a reverent homage to our whakapapa and origin narrative. This collection holds a special acknowledgment for our Ngāi Tāhuhu lineage and the bestowed mana from our tupuna, Tuatahi. The name is apt, encapsulating our genealogy, ancestry, origin story, and the journey leading to our ascension. Tuatahi stands as a tribute to our tupuna, recognizing the significance of the mana, whenua, and whakapapa we have inherited. It marks the inaugural installment in a series of kakahu collections, symbolizing the remembrance of our history and paving the way for subsequent tributes.