Hoaki and Taukata
A kōrero from the Te Tua Whakatere era
Hoaki and Taukata were sent by their father Rongotau, to visit their sister Kanioro who now lived with her husband, Pourangahau of Turanganui.
They travelled from Hawaiki to Aotearoa on their waka Hīnakipākau-o-te-rupe.
On arriving at Kākahoroa, their waka was capsized and they washed ashore at the Ōhinemataroa river mouth. Some say they arrived safely and were merely resting on the beach after landing here in Aotearoa before carrying on to Kanioro on the east coast.
Kurawhakaata, a daughter of Tama-ki-hikurangi, a chief at Kaputerangi Pā at the time found them. They were offered hospitality by the local people, Te Hapū-oneone.
They were offered a feast while they told of their journey to Aotearoa. They did not enjoy the pounded fern-root that they were given and made the comment, “Do you not have kao (ground kūmara) in these parts?”
Luckily for them, having no knowledge of kūmara, the comment was met with curiosity as such ungrateful remarks could result in death.
Taukata took a small pouch from his belt and shook out the powder on to his hand. He asked for a bowl of warm water. Mixing the powder and water together produced a sweet mash which he shared with his hosts.
They enjoyed it so much that they asked where to get some. He explained what kao was and that they would need to return home to obtain more.
A waka was built from driftwood and was named Te Aratawhao/Te Aratauwhao. The crew was chosen and Tama-ki-hikurangi would accompany them.
When the weather was right, they set out on the long journey back to Ma’uke with Tama-ki-hikurangi as commander and Hoaki as navigator.
On arriving at Ma’uke, the waka Te Tua Matua was ready to start its voyage to Aotearoa. (Read more here).
As Te Aratawhao was made of driftwood, it was decided that it would not survive yet another journey across the Pacific. It was left there and Tama-ki-hikurangi would return to Kākahoroa aboard Te Tua Matua with kūmara for his people.