Waka Kōrero o Te Tai Rawhiti | Reo Pākehā
Ngā Waka Kōrero o Te Tai Rawhiti is a compilation of stories told from the iwi’s perspective of voyages from and also few return voyages to Hawaiki.
The Pacific Ocean covers one third of the globe and links together thousands of islands. Significantly, the Polynesians inhabit many of these islands, and they achieved these settlements by the advanced technology of the twin-hulled or outrigger canoes they developed. The settlement of New Zealand was deliberate. While many of the Pacific voyagers stayed after arriving here, some returned to Hawaiki.
Māori oral history is clear that such return journeys to Hawaiki occurred. This is particularly the case for the iwi or tribes of the East Coast. In addition, many of the names of the geographical places in the region derived from voyagers from the Pacific who settled or married those already in residence.
From these voyagers the iwi of the region share common whakapapa, tikanga and traditions. Ancestors such as Māui, Toi, Te Whironui, Huturangi, Paikea, Hinehākirirangi, Pawa/Paoa, Ira, Kiwa, Māia, Ruawaipu, Uepohatu, Ngaariki, Pau-ranga-hua, Porourangi, Hamoterangi, Ueroa, Iwipupu, Hau, Taua, Mahaki, Hauiti, Ruapani, Kaikoreaunei, Rakaipaaka, Hinemanuhiri, Te Haki, Rongowhakaata, and Tāmanuhiri, connect back to the Hawaiki traditions.