Te Puta

Excerpt taken from Hongi Hika Warrior Chief 2003 by Dorothy Urlich Cloher

Te Pta, Hongi Hika's great grandfather was described as a person of account throughout Pupuke and beyond. He was born at Matanehunehu, past Taupo Bay, as was Tahapango, his son. His rohe potae (area of influence) was described as extending from Oteanini, Paetehe, directly onto Tutu, Waiwaapu onto Kiripaka Patuanganga,, Taumatewiwi and Waiwhakapirau, round into Te Huia, Putataua, Merokania, dropping down to Te Karaka and reaching the sea. Te Puta's rohe potae as described by Paapu Tupe claims Tauranga to Kirikiri to Tutu and direct to south-west Kurupaki to Taraire Creek and north to Te Huia trig station, to Opuhuiti, to the sea and by the sea to Tauranga. His tribe was Ngati Mokokohi, reputed to have given over its lands to Ngati Pou, another pre-Ngapuhi tribe in the far north. He died at Pukekahikatoa and was buried at Whauwhauroa. According to Paora Hori, his remains were placed at Parawaipuke in Pupuke.