Kaiwhare - He Kaitiaki, He Taniwha hei manaaki i a tatou katoa

Reading about Kaiwhare is awesome. He is one of the taniwha we will be show casing in our wearable arts show.

The Story of Hape - Kaiwhare and Hape Korero

"One of our ancestors who arrived here after the Mataoho people was Hape.  Hape came here from the Pacific Islands by way of a stingray.

The stingray, named Kaiwhare, si the guardian fo the Manukau Harbour."

"The tuupuna (ancestors) were to leave the shores of the Pacific Islands to find another homeland but only those of sound body and mind were allowed to go.  Although Hape was senior to everyone else, he had clubbed feet.  He had to abide by the rules and was left behind.

After the waka left Tahiti on the great voyage, Hape started praying to Tangaroa thegfod of the sea.  He prayed and asked Tangaroa to find a way to take him to the same place that his relatives were going to.

For three days and nights he prayed.  On the fourth day a huge wave came.  As the wave came close Hape saw a stingray coming towards him.  He knew that Tangaroa had answered his prayers.

He climbed aboard the stingray, named Kaiwhare.

They travelled swiftly and arrived ahead of the great migration.  The landed at Puketapapa, at a place known at Te Ihu a Mataoho (the nose of Mataoho).

Hape acknowleged Tangaroa in traditional prayers and incantation and farewelled him.  Kaiwhare went back to the sea.  Hape looked inland and saw a hill.  He climbed the hill to see out to the Manukau Harour, laying flat on the hill, known as Puketapapa, to rest and await the arrival of his people.  The day came when the waka arrived.  They looked up and Hape acknowledged them.

That welcome in Māori is Karanga a Hape."

Maurice Wilson (-2013) Kaumatua of Tāmaki Makaurau Marae, Te Waiohua