Iwi Name: | Ngāti Rārua |
Iwi Location: | Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman Districts |
Waka: | Tainui |
Population: | 5,000 |
Url: | http://www.ngatirarua.co.nz |
Ngāti Rārua are a Māori tribe (of the Tainui tribal confederation.[1] [2]
Ngāti Rārua stem from the marriage of Rārua-ioio and Tū-pāhau and, like other Tainui tribes, had their original home in the Waikato, specifically on the west coast of the King Country region, at Kāwhia, Marokopa and Waikawau. In 1821 Ngāti Rārua moved southwards in a series of migrations led by Te Rauparaha of Ngāti Toa which saw the iwi relocate to Nelson and Marlborough in the upper South Island.
Ngāti Rārua's tribal lands overlap those of Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Tama, Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō and Rangitāne. Since their arrival in the upper South Island (Te Tau Ihu), Ngāti Rārua have maintained continuous occupation (ahi kā in Golden Bay / Mohua, as well as various locations in the Abel Tasman National Park, Mārahau, Kaiteriteri, Riwaka, Motueka, Nelson and Wairau.