Hurunuiorangi

Hurunuiorangi means the shade over the eyes of Rangi.

Hurunui-O-Rangi Marae is situated on the Carterton - Gladstone Rd. In 1973, the Tapitapi Restoration Committee was foundered to consolidate Maori land, erect a meeting house and provide a social centre for the people of Hurunui-O-Rangi Marae.

Some of the hapu names associated with Hurunui-O-Rangi are:

Ngai Tahu, Ngai Taneroa, Ngati Te Kai, Ngati Moe, Ngati Parera, Ngati Rangitehewea, Ngati Rangitataia, Ngati Maahu, Ngati Pahau, Ngati Rongorongo, Ngati Tahumakakanui, Ngati Muretu, Ngati Kahukuraawhitia, Ngati Kahukuranui, Ngati Hikawera, Ngati Kaiparuparu, Ngati Parera and others.

Hurunuiorangi 1

According to Kaumatua M Carter, Hurunui-o-Rangi has its marae named “Tapi Tapi” meaning to patch up. Formerly it was the kainga of Te Ropiha Waitai, a chief of the Rangitaane tribe. The paa was built in the 1800s and was pallisaded. He places Hurunui o rangi under Rangitaane, Hamua, Ngati Parera and Ngati Kahungunu.

About Hurunuiorangi Kemp 1850

“A new pa has been built, which for neatness and good workmanship is not equalled by any in the valley. This village is situated in the bank of the Ruamahanga , and has always been a favourite spot. The soil is good, and the timber close at hand. Their intention in building this pa is to invite subdivision of the Ngaitahu, who now reside near Turanganui to join them, with their chief Te Hamaiwaho as a kaumatua leader for them. This arrangement will no doubt be carried into effect before the winter sets in…” (Kemp, 1850 : 80).

Hurunuiorangi again Colenso

“The natives of this village … had already ereceted a screen fence for my tent in a corner of their newly fenced pa; on entering which and looking up, I saw, a monstrous human image as large as life, obscurely carved on the upper part of one of the large totara posts of the pa, about ten feet from the ground…(Colenso, Journal : 29/4/1851