Huriwhenua was the principal chief of Ngati Rahiri of the Waitara district, and a contemporary of Te Rauparaha. His sister Te Wharemawhai was arranged in marriage to Te Whatarauihi Nohorua, the eldest half brother of Te Rauparaha. Huriwhenua was one of the leading chiefs during the migrations of the Te Ati Awa and Taranaki tribes which later joined Ngati Toa at Kapiti. Huriwhenua initially settled at Kukutauaki, Waikanae, where his people lived and cultivated. They later spread their occupation across the Cook Strait to Te Awaiti and Queen Charlotte Sound, where Huriwhenua later died. His younger brother, Te Hou-Huriwhenua, also known as Kai-ngarara, later played a principal role in the return migration to Taranaki in 1848 with Wi Kingi Te Rangitaake and other chiefs, formally returning the lands they once occupied at Waikanae to Metapere Te Waipuna-a-hau, who represented the conquering Ngati Toa owners. According to Wi Tamihana Te Neke Huriwhenua was nearly related to him, Wi Kingi Te Rangitake, Hone Tuhata and Patukakariki all being descended from Tuahopere of Ngati Tuaho (Te Ati Awa). Matiu Baker - Ngati Toa project.
Huriwhenua, -1847
[Angas, George French] 1822-1886 :Tomb of Huri-Whenua [Wellington, ca 1890]
Date: 1844 - 1888 - 1891
From: Various artists :[Proofs and related pictorial material for illustrations to J White's Ancient history of the Maori (Wellington, 1891)] 1832, [1880s?] 1890
By: Angas, George French, 1822-1886; Kirkwood, Henry William, 1854-1925
Reference: B-110-021-4
Description: Shows the carved decorated tomb (wahi tapu) of the Ngati Rahiri chief Huriwhenua, set within its own fence and with the palisades of a pa for protection. The carved war canoe of Huriwhenua is set upright into the earth. The pa was close to Te Awaiti, Tory Channel, Marlborough Angas visited New Zealand in 1844. This is a redrawing of his lithograph 'Tomb of Huriwhenua' plate 23 in his The New Zealanders illustrated (London, 1847). The copyist is probably H. W. Kirkwood One of four lithographs on one sheet, all copies of work by Angas and probably all copied by Kirkwood. The centre of the sheet is inscribed in blue pencil 'Printed 2500 copies' Other Titles - Tomb of Huriwhenua, a late chief of the Nga ti toa tribe, Queen Charlotte Sound. Ngatitoa Quantity: 1 b&w art print(s). Physical Description: Lithograph, 145 x 216 mm
Angas, George French 1822-1886 :Tomb of Huriwhenua, a late chief of the Nga ti toa trib...
Date: 1844 - 1847
From: Angas, George French 1822-1886 :The New Zealanders Illustrated. London, Thomas McLean, 1847.
By: Giles, John West, 1801-1870
Reference: PUBL-0014-23
Description: Scene depicts the carved and decorated tomb (wahi tapu) of the Ngati Rahiri chief Huriwhenua, set within its own fence and with the palisades of a pa for protection. The carved war canoe (waka taua) of Huriwhenua is set upright into the earth and marks where the chieftain is buried. Framed with hills behind and whare (raupo houses) on both sides and beyond. The location is described in Angas' accompanying text as a 'small and now entirely deserted Pah on the shores of Tory Channel, not far distant from the entrance of Queen Charlotte Sound', probably close to Te Awaiti. The site was tapu and Angas did not have permission to draw it. Angas visited New Zealand in 1844. It is uncertain if Huriwhenua was of Ngati Toa descent, but he was the principal chief of the Ngati Rahiri tribe from Taranaki. His sister Te Wharemawhai, was married to Nohoroa (Tom Street), the eldest (half) brother of Te Rauparaha. Other Titles - Ngati Toa Quantity: 1 colour art print(s). Physical Description: Tinted lithograph, hand-coloured 240 x 311 mm