Ngāti Rangitihi
# Ngāti Rangitihi

Ngāti Rangitihi is a Māori iwi of New Zealand, located in the Bay of Plenty.

The tribe is part of the greater Te Arawa confederation of tribes. Nga pumanawa e waru o Te Arawa, the 8 beating hearts of Te Arawa derives from the 8 children of the eponymous Rangitihi. From Rangitihi come the main tribal groups of Te Arawa, but Ngāti Rangitihi take their name rightly from Rangitihikahira, who was the daughter of Apumoana, son of Rangitihi. She married Mahi, who was the son of Rangiaohia, another son of Rangtihi. Ngāti Rangitihi origins are from the union of Rangitihikahira and Mahi's marriage.

The recognised rohe (tribal area) of Ngāti Rangitihi was submitted to the Waitangi Tribunal in evidence during an urgent hearing in February 2002. It was not challenged by the legal Counsel for the Crown, Tuwharetoa ki Kawerau or Ngāti Awa who were all present at the time. It extends from the East side of the Tarawera River mouth to Otamarakau, inland to Lake Rotoehu, through Lake Rotoma and through Lake Okataina and Lake Tarawera. South into the Kaingaroa Forest. East including the western third of the Matahina Block. Pokohu and Putauaki and out to the coast following the line of the Tarawera River.

## History

### Early history

Ngāti Rangitihi history is carved into the pole beside of the Rangiaohia wharenui at the Matata Pa and at Tamatekapua wharenui at Te Papaiouru Marae at Rotorua, Ngāti Rangitihi is the carved figure at the top of the pole, the 8 beating hearts are below Rangitihi. Their hapu, Ngāti Mahi and Ngāti Tionga are the recognised hapu of Ngāti Rangitihi today.

The Ngāti Tionga hapu has occupied (Ahika) Otamarora (Matata) since 1700, under the chiefs Rohi, Tewhareiti, Tionga, Tangihia Tionga and Porione Tangihia. Pre-1928, carvings were green. The Whare Nui was named Tionga.

### Modern history

The Tionga Marae was located on Lot 5, Arawa Street, Matata, where it was owned by members Tangihia family. In the late 1880s Ngāti Mahi renovated the Tionga marae, replacing the thatch with an iron roof and the raupo wall panels with sawn timber. In 1928 a tornado lifted the marae building up and carried it to its present location. It was renamed the Rangiaohia Whare nui and has been maintained by Ngāti Rangitihi ever since.

The first and original Rangitihi house belonged to the Ngāti Rangiwewehi chief Te Rangitewhata and stood at Puhirua pa on the shores of Lake Rotorua. The second belonged to Te Waata Taranui of Ngāti Pikiao and is currently in the Auckland museum. The 3rd stands at Te Taheke, on the shores of Lake Rotoiti and is in use to this day.

## Media

### Te Arawa FM

Te Arawa FM is the radio station of Te Arawa iwi. It was established in the early 1980s and became a charitable entity in November 1990. The station underwent a major transformation in 1993, becoming Whanau FM. One of the station's frequencies was taken over by Mai FM in 1998; the other became Pumanawa FM before later reverting to Te Arawa FM. It is available on 89.0 FM in Rotorua.

