128 Transactions. — Miscellaneous, 



vessel, it is said, came a number of black-skinned men, who 

 spake a different language to that of the Maori people. These 

 black people were known as Ngai-Tamawhiro among the Maori, 

 and are said to have been the tribe or descendants of one Whiro, 

 but whether Whiro-nui or Whiro-tupua is meant is not clear. 

 These people were probably Melanesians of Fiji. They lived 

 near Matata, but gradually became extinct, or lost to view, 

 probably through intermarriage with .the Maori. 



In addition to the crews of the above canoes, there are also 

 traditions of other old-time voyagers who visited these shores 

 in times long passed away, but whose names only are retained. 

 Of these, the most widely known is Ngahue, who visited New 

 Zealand prior to the coming of the historic fleet. He is said 

 to have seen the moa here. Another was Tama-i-waho, also 

 known as Puhao-rangi, who came to New Zealand in the time 

 of Toi (see genealogy). His descendants here are well known. 

 One Irakewa also appears to have reached the Bay of Plenty. 

 just prior to the arrival of the fleet, in some unrecorded manner. 

 A huge rock on the summit of Maunga-pohatu is known as 

 Te Tapapatanga o Irakewa. Irakewa is said to have returned 

 to Hawaiki, and from his descriptions and directions the crew 

 of '' Matatua " were enabled to reach Whakatane. There is 

 much mystery concerning Irakewa and his movements. Some 

 of Ngatiawa say that he was a descendant of Toi : — 



Toi 



J 

 Awanui-a-rangi 



I 

 Awa-roa 



I 

 Awfl-tuma-ki-te-rangi 



I 

 Pari-nui-te-ra 



I 

 Irakewa 



Awa-nui-morehurehu = Te Paereere-i-waho 



I 

 Toroa. 



This Toroa was the chief of the " Matatua " canoe which reached 

 New Zealand with the historic fleet about eighteen or twenty 

 venerations ago. Irakewa may have been a descendant of Toi 

 of New Zealand, hut, if so, he must have gone to Hawaiki about 

 the time that " Te \ratawliao *' made her famous voyage to 

 Polynesia. Awa-morehurehu is said to have been a member 

 of the ciew of that canoe. Our most learned man among Tuhoe 

 -'ids that Awa-morelmrehu was the father of Irakewa, which 

 would be much more credible. 



Taneatua was another old-time wanderer who reached this 

 land somewhere about the time of the arrival of " Matatua," 



