New Zealand History - Whakapapa 2

The canoes that Maori have been thought to have arrived in traditionally gave rise to the different tribal groupings: the genealogy of Maori culture derives from each canoe of their ancestors.

The Fleet was, according to tradition, inspired by Kupe, the great navigator who, according to who tells the story, either discovered New Zealand intentionally, or was blown away from Hawaiiki, and accidently discovered New Zealand some time around 925.

Either way, he returned to Hawaiiki and brought back his people to this new land he named "Aotearoa" or "Land of the Long White Cloud", inspired by the clouds that hovered over the length of the Southern Alps.

Canoe	Chief	Arrived	Tribes
Maamari	Ruuaanui	Hokianga	Ngapuhi, Te Rarawa, te Aupoouri, Ngati Kahu
Ngaatoki	Nukutawhiti	Hokianga	Ngapuhi
Maahuuhuu	Rongomai	Kaipara	Ngati Whatua
Tainui	Hoturoa	Kawhia	Waikato, Ngati Maniapoto, Ngati Haua, Ngati Maru, Ngati Paoa, Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Toa, Ngaitai
Te Arawa	Tamatekapua	Maketu	Te Arawa, Ngati Tuwharetoa
Tokomaru	Whata	Mohakatino River	Ngati Tama, Ngati Mutunga, Ngati Raahiri, Manukorihi, Puketapu, Te Atiawa, Ngati Maru
Aotea	Turi	Aotea Harbour	Ngati Ruanui, Ngarauru, Atihau
Kurahaupoo	Maungaroa or Ruatea	Whangaroa	Taranaki, Atihau, Ngati Apa, Rangitaane, Muaupoko
Maataatua	Toroa	Whakatane	Ngati Awa, Tuhoe, Whakatohea, Whanau a Apanui
Horouta	Pawa	Waiapu River	Ngati Porou
Tohora	Paikea	Ahuahu (Gt Mercury Island)	Ngati Porou
Takitimu	Tamatea	Waiau River	Rongowhakaata, Ngati Kahungunu, Ngaitahu

modern waka

The tribes of the South Island believe that Rakaihautu discovered New Zealand - as he is said to have had little food aboard his wakas, he moved to the South Island where moas were available as a food source.
In 1350, after the main Fleet arrived in New Zealand, these Southern tribes were eventually overrun by the North Island arrivals, culminating around 1600 in an invasion by the Katimamoe, and a hundred years later by the Kaitahu.

Maru, crayon, Hodges

Both tribes fought until the Katimamoe were forced to the remote south-west of the South Island. One of the last battles is thought to have been at Preservation Inlet in the Dusky Sounds, when Maru, a chief, led a war party against the Katimamoe - he overcame them, but his canoes were lost, and he was marooned there. He was discovered by Captain Cook, the last of a vanishing tribe (Williamm Hodges crayon drawing above) that after Cook left, were never seen again.

New Zealand was a lot tougher than the Islands of Polynesia. It was colder - the traditional food crops, taro or coconut, would not survive, and traditional clothing would not suffice. Maori had to very quickly adapt, or die too.

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