9a. TAMATEKAPUA/WHAKATURIA

Tamatekapua is an important figure in Te Arawa history. He and his brother Whakaturia became involved in an incident which began the final episode in a long series of troubles, which culminated in a group of Ngati Ohomairangi leaving Hawaiki and travelling to Aotearoa. Tamatekapua decided to take revenge on Uenuku, an influential chiet ol a neighbouring tribe, who had killed and eaten his dog. Tamatekapua and Whakaturia used stilts to steal breadfruit from Uenuku's tree. However they were caught in the act. Tamatekapua managed to escape, but Whakaturia was captured and suspended from the rafters of Uenuku's house, so that he would slowly suffocate from the smoke. Tamatekapua devised a plan, and rescued Whakaturia.

Uenuku was enraged, and in revenge attacked Tamatekapua's people. A bitter battle ensued, with Tamatekapua's tribe the final victors. The bodies of their enemies were cooked and eaten. After these events the decision was made to migrate, and the Te Arawa canoe was built as a vessel for the voyage.

9a TAMATEKAPUA/ WHAKATURIA