Ihengā

A chief of Hawaiki, who came to New Zealand in the Arawa canoe. He it was who aroused the great priest Ngātoro-i-rangi, when the canoe was being engulfed in the Te Parata whirlpool. Soon after landing, Ihenga gave his daughter to Ngātoro as his wife, and he himself went to reside at Maketu. Exploring inland he discovered Lake Rotorua, but finding the land around it already occupied by Maru-punga-nui, he had recourse to artifice, and at last by his cunning obtained possession. His descendants continue in occupation.

Ihengā married Hine-te-kākara, the daughter of Kahu. Ihengā was the youngest son of Tuhoro, the son of Tama-te-kapua. His brothers were Taramainuku, Warenga, and Huarere.

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References

Sources

  • Grey, Sir George. (1855). Polynesian Mythology. Auckland: Brett, pp. 87, 96.
  • Shortland, Edward. (1882). Maori Religion and Mythology. London: Longmans Green, pp. 58, 63.
  • Tregear, Edward. (1891). Maori-Polynesian Comparative Dictionary. Wellington: Government Printer, p. 100.

This article incorporates text from Maori-Polynesian Comparative Dictionary (1891) by Edward Tregear, which is in the public domain.