Pūkenga - the man
A Owhakatoro kōrero from the Te Tua Whakatere era
Pūkenga was the great-grandson of Toroa. He was the son of Tānemoeahi, one of famous trio Te Tokotoru a Paewhiti.
A great tohunga prophesied his birth and predicted that he would be a great warrior and tohunga.
At birth, he was given the name Pūkenga in recognition of the great feats to come.
He was born and raised at his father’s pā of Ōhae in Ruātoki.
Reaching manhood, he and his younger brother, Te Ahuru, decided to follow their father’s previous journeys west. They travelled by foot, following the coast from Kākahoroa to Tauranga.
Here they stayed with relations of Ngā Marama. The abundance of food and water sources did not go unnoticed on their exploration.
To get a better view of the land, they climbed the highest mountain range of the area, following the many streams of cascading waters to the top. Once there, they stopped to rest for the night and take in the great many sights of the ever expanding lands.
From this summit, they could see Tauranga to the east and the vast plains of Waikato to the west.
Pūkenga pulled out their provisions for dinner and said to his brother, “ Kia kai mai tāua i kōnei - let us eat here.”
This quote led to the naming of the hills “Kaimai.”
On waking the next morning, over breakfast the shared their dreams of living on either side of the ranges.
Pūkenga said, “Ko koe ki te tuawhenua, ko au ki te takutai moana - you proceed inland and I will go to the coast.”
Being the oldest, Pūkenga would return home to inform their parents of their plans.
Te Ahuru went west and descended into the Waikato where he eventually married into the local Ngāti Raukawa in Ngātea. His descendants later took his name in memory of him - Ngāti Ahuru.
Pūkenga returned home to Ruātoki, to Ōwhakatoro where his wife and son waited.
By that time, war had began between the three brothers - Te Tokotoru a Paewhiti (Read more here).
Pūkenga knew he couldn’t abandon his father in time of war so he stayed to fight. He told his young family of his journey and his desire to live in Tauranga and should the war worsen, they must leave Ruātoki.
Pūkenga and his warriors fought bravely. It is said that the fighting was so intense that the river ran red, stained by the blood of the fallen.
The battles did not cease with the slaying of Ueimua by Tūhoe-pōtiki and Tānemoeahi. They intensified with Ueimua’s descendants seeking revenge over and over again.
Pūkenga did not get to realise his dream of living in Tauranga as he died on the battle field at Ōhaua, Ōwhakatoro.
He was buried with his mothers people at Ōkawekawe.