Who we are.
We are Rongowhakaata
Ko Puketapu te maunga
Puketapu is the mountain
Ko Te Arai te awa
Te Arai is the river
Ko Rongowhakaata te iwi
Rongowhakaata is the tribe
Tīhe mauri ora!
Alas the breath of life!
RONGOWHAKAATA was born around 1550 and lived in Ūawa (Tolaga Bay). He belonged to the Ngāti Ruanuku tribe. Through both his parents, Hinepūnake (mother) and Tūmaurirere (father), he traces descent from the three sons of Paikea — Pouheni, Marupapanui, and Rongomaitūāhu — and also from Porourangi and Ruakapanga.
On a journey to Tūranga (Gisborne), Rongowhakaata visited Te Huia Pā near Ngātapa which belonged to the local chief, Moeahu. It was there he met Turahiri, the second daughter of Moeahu, fell in love, and settled with her and her people at Te Huia Pā. Rongowhakaata and Turahiri had only one child, a son they named Rongomairātahi, who was to become one of the principal ancestors of the tribe. The following whakatauāki (proverb) is in reference to Rongomairātahi and the mana that was bestowed upon him.
Puketapu (Our Maunga)
Te Arai River (Our Awa)
We are Eruera
Descended from Tio and Roa Eruera
Tio Eruera
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Roa Eruera (nee Rawhira)
Born in Patutahi in 1889 and passed away in 1947
Born in 1890, and passed away in 1950
Tio and Roa Eruera (Edwards) are nga Tipuna (our ancestors) and from this branch of our whānau we begin OUR journey.
Any information we can gather from you to help provide more information on our Whānau would be welcome!
Below is a record of the tamariki of Tio and Roa
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Where we are.
Whakatō Marae
The 2025 Eruera Whanau Reunion will be held at Whakatō Marae, just as we did in 1989.
The Whakatō Marae commemorates the tipuna Rongowhakaata. The wharenui is named Te Mana o Tūranga and the wharekai Te Aroha a Te Rangatahi a Turahiri. The marae is situated in Manutuke on the Whakato No.3 block and identifies primarily with Ngati Maru. The urupa is named Hurimoana.
The following whakatauki applies to this marae:
‘Te kotahi a TurahiriRipo ana te moana.’
‘The one and only child of TurahiriWho causes the rippling of the sea.’
Another whakatauki for this marae is:
‘He kotahi na TurahiriKa horu te moana.’
‘Turahiri may be only one personBut such a one that could stir up the oceans.’
Whakatō Marae traces its beginnings to the time of missionary contact in Turanganui-a- Kiwa. A mission station was originally established at Kaupapa in December 1839. However, it was later moved due to continual flooding. That area was named Whakatō symbolic of the planting of Rongopai (“the good word of the Pakeha religion”) within Tūranga. William Williams was the first missionary in the region and he commenced his mission at Whakatō. The first church was erected in the district at Whakatō Marae.
Getting Here
Driving
While flying is probably the quickest way to get to Tairawhiti, driving allows you to enjoy the sights and scenery, and can also save some money!
From Wellington
The drive from Wellington to Gisborne, while enjoyable, can be a long day!
The best route from south is to travel from Wellington to Palmerston North (2 Hours), on to Napier (2.5 Hours) and then to Gisborne (3 Hours). Some may want to split this trip into 2 days to take some time and enjoy the sights!
From Auckland
The drive from Auckland to Gisborne is a beautiful trip, meandering along some of the most beautiful coastline for part of the journey.
Travel from Auckland to Te Aroha (2 Hours) and then on to Tauranga (1 Hour). Continue on to Ohope (2 Hours) and then enjoy the remainder of the drive to Gisborne (2 Hours)
Flying
There are a number of options for flying in and out of Tairawhiti. The link below will take you to the Air New Zealand page with options. Please be aware that these flights are what is available now and will be subject to change.
