The story of Whangaroa is multi-layered and intersects Whenua (land), Whakapapa (genealogy) and Tūpuna (ancestors) yielding an autonomous identity specific to Whangaroa Hapū (sub tribes).
Her creation story shows how the landscape is marked by cosmological and geological events, how iconic landmarks are named after ancient Tūpuna as being in and of the land, and how the identity politics of Tangata Whenua (people of the land) have evolved over the centuries.
People And Culture
NGĀ WHĀNAU HAPŪ
Tīeke
The tīeke (saddleback) is a member of the wattle bird family which includes the now extinct huia.
The names of these birds are remembered in the cultural landscape indicating their significance to Whangaroa and their value in remembering the ngahere and taiao of Whangaroa past.