The Lost Tribesmen

Ngati Whakahangareka

After the Polynesian migration and before the major European invasion, Aotearoa had a number of foreign visitors. Dutch, French and some say Greek and Chinese explorers found their way here. Add to this the occasional Sealer or Whaler that may have stumbled across our Islands, perhaps due to being blown here by a storm, (Dutch, French, Russian, German, Spanish, Portuguese and British) and you will get the general idea. These visitors probably did not stay long other than to replenish their water and food supplies and then they would continue on their journey. Sometimes they would make contact with local Maori and sometimes one or two of these Maori would continue the journey with their new found friends.

One of these Maori was a young warrior called Tuakana Parata. He befriended a Portuguese Captain and returned home with him. He travelled through Europe discovering many countries, cultures and languages then after many decades settled in London. His extensive linguistic capabilities made him a topic of conversation around the Upper Class dinner tables and he used this to further broaden his worldly education.

Although he had left his homeland as a young man, now older and wiser, he yearned for the warmth of the Sun and the sea of Aoteroa so he returned home.

His roots and memories of his place of birth long forgotten he wandered the country searching for his home but to no avail.

In his travels he met others that had taken a similar path to him and they too were wandering the country like lost souls. They banded together traveling as a group until they settled at a place called Wawaroa (known today as Birkenhead).

They ate from the abundance of forest and birdlife and their village was on the shore of the Waitemata Harbour. Local Maori treated them as outcasts and Pakeha were mystified by these multi-lingual savages but they were generally left alone to exist.

Lacking a tribal or political structure Tuakana Parata consulted with his friends and a mutual agreement was made that he would be Ariki Taungaroa, Paramount Chief, of Ngati Whakahangareka (The Lost Tribesmen).

Over the years their numbers grew with other Maori leaving their tribes and joining them. Each of the founding members took wives and their off-spring grew up within a Maori culture, multi-lingual, an appreciation of many cultures and with a wealth of worldly knowledge passed down by their Fathers.

As a tribe they developed their own religious ideals based on Christianity but mixed with Maoridom. This religious ideal was named Tuakana after its founding prophet Tuakana Parata.
Ngati Whakahangareka co-existed with their environment and their Chief ruled with respect, honour and loyalty to the people he governed.

Along with European settlement had come a total cultural shift for Maori that they struggled to adapt to, even in the 21st century. Although the Maori had adapted quickly to the concept of trading goods and services, general commerce could not be understood by the masses. Ngati Whakahangareka took to this like a fish to water and easily broadened their skill set to become quite successful in the commercial world. Their financial gains were predominantly invested in education for their young as it is to this day. Academic prowess was ingrained into the young at an early stage and quickly became second nature.

Over the years as the country evolved, so did the Ngati Whakahangareka with many of their young completing their education and travelling overseas to experience life as their descendants did. Many relocated to other parts of New Zealand, establishing families of their own but always ensuring that the Ngati Whakahangareka ways were upheld and adhered to.