We would like to acknowledge our koroua Potaua, who we as descendants have inherited our mana whenua rights to the land and to this area known as Te Puna Kai o Tutereinga. They knew very well that the land is the life-giving blood of our people. Through the land we have shelter, protection, clothing, food and a place of identity to call our Turangawaewae, our place to stand and be proud to say we are descendants of Tutereinga, we are proud to be the descendants of Potaua Tangitu the ancestor whom our Trust was named after. It is said “paitu, pai hinga, na wai, na oti”, good at standing, good at falling, the work is eventually finished.
It is important to remember that although we have individual shares or amalgamated that into a Whanau Trust under the Tangitu Whanau Trust this land has been handed down to us from our ancestor Tutereinga. The following whakapapa reminds us of who we are, our connection to Tutereinga down to Potaua and how we as a hapu and family connect to the whenua.
Takitimu waka
Tamateaarikinui
Rongokako
Tamateapokaiwhenua
Ranginui
Tutereinga
Te Rangiwhakakaha
Taka
Korotehapu
Hinehou
Moetu
Tata
Kanohi
Whakaumu
Tangitu
Rawiri
Hipera
Potaua Tangitu
As you all know it is through this line our whakapapa connection that gives us the privilege to connect to our Whanau Trust and the Orchard of this area known as Te Puna Kai o Tutereinga.