Ngaati Wairere

Have you ever wondered what the name WAIRERE DRIVE- means or refers to? Wairere means flowing water and Ngaati Wairere is the name of the Waikato - Tainui tribe who lived upon the lands of what is now Hamilton City since the mid to late 16th century.

After the 1863 Land wars and after the Crown confiscated Ngaati Wairere lands, they resettled at Hukanui, now known as Gordonton where they are today. According to Waharoa Te Puke, the last paramount chief of Ngaati Wairere in the 1950s, Wairere was the peace child between his warring grandfathers, his birth marking the renaming of the river from the ancient name of Te Awanui O Taikehu to Waikato in commemoration of his baptism performed in the river. The renaming of the river to Wai (water) kato (to pluck) is in reference to the plucking and sprinkling motion during the rites and rituals performed by his grandfather Kookako.

HUKANUI MARAE

Ko Tainui te waka
Ko Taupiri te maunga
Ko Waikato te awa
Ko Waikato te iwi
Ko Ngati Wairere te hapuu
Ko Pootatau Te Wherowhero te tangata
Ko Tuuturu-aa-Papa Kamutu te whare tuupuna
Ko Werewere te tekoteko
Ko Te Mokai te whare kai
Ko Piipiiwharauroa,
Ko Kokako ngaa Koohanga Reo
Ko Taku Taawharau ngaa whare kaumaatua
Ko Hukanui te marae

“Waiho te tatau o taku whare kia tuuwhera mo ngaa taangata hikoi te rori kaingia e te namu”

OUR MARAE

The given name of the marae is Hukanui. The name Hukanui originated from a time when the area was surrounded by a dense fog caused by kahikatea trees in the area at the time. All that could be seen was thick white fog. Hence the look of huka (snow) that covered an extensive area.