Ngāpuhi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ngāpuhi | |
| Iwi of New Zealand | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Rohe (location) | Northland |
| Waka (canoe) | Māmari,Ngātokimatawhaorua, Māhūhū, Ruakaramea |
| Population | 122,214 |
| Website | http://www.ngapuhi.iwi.nz/ |
Ngāpuhi is a Māori iwi located in the Northland region of New Zealand. Ngāpuhi has the largest affiliation of any New Zealand iwi, with 122,214 people registered (2006 census).[1] The people of Ngāpuhi are centred in the Hokianga, the Bay of Islands and Whāngārei. The iwi comprises 150 hapu, with 55 marae.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Foundations
The founding ancestor of Ngāpuhi is Rāhiri, the son of Tauramoko and Te Hauangiangi. Tauramoko was a descendant of Kupe, from Matawhaorua, and Nukutawhiti, of the Ngātokimatawhaorua canoe. Te Hauangiangi was the daughter of Puhi, who captained the Mataatua canoe northwards from the Bay of Plenty.
Through intermarriage with other iwi and expansionist land migration, the descendants of Rāhiri formed tribes across the Northland peninsula. These actions also fostered ties with neighbouring iwi. The name Ngāpuhi came to describe the tribes settled in the Hokianga and Bay of Islands.
[edit] Hosting the first Christian mission
Ruatara was chief of the Ngāpuhi from 1812 to his death in 1815. In 1814, he invited missionaries Samuel Marsden and Thomas Kendall to set up the first ever Christian mission in New Zealand, on Ngāpuhi land. The presence of these influential Pakeha secured Ruatara's access to European plants, technology, knowledge and weapons, which he distributed to other Maori, thus increasing his mana. After his death, his uncle Hongi Hika became protector of the mission. It did not succeed in converting a single Maori until 1830; Ruatara and Hongi Hika themselves welcomed the missionaries' presence, but did not convert.[2]
[edit] Musket Wars
By the early 19th century, the Bay of Islands had become a prominent shipping port in New Zealand. Through increased trade with Europeans, initiated by Ruatara, Ngāpuhi gained greater access to European goods, including muskets. Armed with European firearms, Ngāpuhi, led by Hongi Hika, launched a series of expansionist campaigns, with resounding victories across Northland and in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. (see Musket Wars)
[edit] Land Wars
In 1840, the Ngāpuhi chiefs were all signatories to the Treaty of Waitangi, under the persuasion that the treaty was primarily for their protection against unscrupulous European settlers. However, from 1845-1846, Ngāpuhi fought against the British Crown over treaty disputes and European encroachment and interference. The Māori forces were led by Hone Heke, who famously chopped down the flagpole at Kororāreka. Leading Māori forces from the Bay of Islands, Heke fought not only against British troops but also pro-government Hokianga Māori. Initial victories for Heke were countered with subsequent defeats, resulting in the eventual loss of over 2,000 km² of Ngāpuhi land from Māori control.
[edit] Twentieth century history
Amidst cultural and economic decline, the twentieth century saw a steady migration of Ngāpuhi Māori from Northland into other regions of the North Island, mainly Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty. In part, this has seen the organisation of Ngāpuhi into large geographic and urban divisions.[3]
[edit] Ngāpuhi today
"Kia tū tika ai te whare tapu o Ngāpuhi"
May the sacred house of Ngāpuhi always stand firm—Ngāpuhi motto
Despite such geographical diversity, the people of Ngāpuhi maintain their shared history and self-identity. The iwi is administered by Te Rūnanga ā Iwi o Ngāpuhi, based in Kaikohe. The Rūnanga acts on behalf of the iwi in consultations with the New Zealand Government. It also ensures the equitable distribution of benefits from the 1992 settlement with the Government, and undertakes resource management and education initiatives.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes and references
- Te Runanga a Iwi o Ngāpuhi website
- Taonui, Rāwiri. “Ngapuhi” Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand. 26 September 2006. (accessed 3 April 2007)
- ^ "2006 Census – QuickStats About Māori (revised)". Statistics New Zealand. 2007-04-04. http://www.stats.govt.nz/census/2006-census-data/quickstats-about-maori/2006-census-quickstats-about-maori-revised.htm?page=para009Master. Retrieved on 2007-05-25.
- ^ James Belich, Making Peoples; A History of the New Zealanders, 1996, ISBN 0-8248-2517-9, pp.141-168.
- ^ Events of August 2004 may have the effect of recognising Ngati Hine as an independent iwi rather than a hapu of Ngāpuhi.
