Ohomairangi

In Māori mythology, Ohomairangi is an important ancestor who lived in Hawaiki 6 generations before the migration to Aotearoa New Zealand. He is considered the major ancestor of the people of both Te Arawa and Tainui waka.

Ohomairangi was said to be the son of the celestial being Pūhaorangi and the mortal woman Kuraimonoa.

During his lifetime Ohomairangi acted as the guardian of Taputapuatea marae in Rangiatea (Raiatea) which is considered the most sacred site in Polynesia.

Ohomairangi was the father of Muturangi, the high priest and navigator who contended with Kupe.[1]

By the time of his great-grandson Atuamatua, the descendents of Ohomairangi were known as Ngāti Ohomairangi or Nga Ohomairangi and had influence at Aitutaki, Raiatea and surrounding islands.

Eventually two divisions of this tribe were responsible for the construction of the Te Arawa Waka and Tainui Waka respectively which participated in the migration to Aotearoa New Zealand.

References

  1. ↑ Paul Tapsell. 'Te Arawa', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 4-Apr-2008 URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/NewZealanders/MaoriNewZealanders/TeArawa/en
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