Reipae and Reitu
Wars in Waikato led some members of the Ngati Pou to migrate to the Far North. There they settled near some relatives on the shores of a harbour south of Herekino, which they called “Whangape”.
After a while Ueoneone, a young chief, decided to pay a visit to his kinsmen in Waikato. Down there he met the chief Tuihui and his two lovely twin daughters Reipae and Reitu.
Between Reipae, Reitu and Ueoneone, there sprang a great liking for each other. Now, the young chief from Whangape was very clever at playing the putorino (flute) and that evening while he and Tuihui and his hapu sat around the fire, Ueoneone played lively tunes on his putorino, deliberately charming the two girls. But at the end of his visit he still couldn’t decide who he liked best; so he returned home.
Some weeks later, a Karearea (sparrowhawk) arrived in Waikato at Reipae and Reitu’s house. Convinced it was a message from Ueoneone, the two girls argued for whom it was for, until finally both decided to go. A Tohunga (priest) chanted a karakia (spell) to make them light enough to travel on the Karearea’s back.
On the way to Whangape, Reitu commented on how heavy they must be for the bird. Annoyed, Reipae asked Karaerea to let her off to relieve herself. Once off, she refused go get back on, and instead stayed on the beach she called ‘One-rahirahi’, the beach-of-quick-overhearing.
In that area, Reipae met Tahuhupotiki, a young chief. The two young people fell in love and decided to get married. They named the place where they met ‘Te Whanga-a-Reipae’, the Abiding-place or harbour of Reipae. In time this name became abbreviated to Whangarei, which was later applied to the whole district at the headwaters of the harbour.
Meanwhile, Reitu continued on her north-bound journey to Whangape Harbour. Upon her arrival she was given a great welcome and not long after preparations of her marriage to Ueoneone were being made.
Joanne McDonald
Whangarei Girls High School
Form 4
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/TUTANG19821001.2.31
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Tu Tangata, Issue 8, 1 October 1982, Page 28
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341Reipae and Reitu Tu Tangata, Issue 8, 1 October 1982, Page 28
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