Kahungunu

Kahungunu was a Māori ariki (chieftain) of the Tākitimu tribal confederation and ancestor of the Ngāti Kahungunu and Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki iwi. He probably lived in the late fifteenth century. Although born in Kaitaia, he was raised in Tauranga, leaving for the east coast after he quarrelled with his older brother. There he married a number of women and had numerous offspring. Tradition particularly dwells on his courtship of Rongomai-wahine, which culminated in the murder of her husband Tama-taku-tai. Afterwards, he settled at Maunga-a-kāhia on Māhia Peninsula. In his old age, he negotiated a peace when Maunga-a-kāhia was attacked by his nephew Tūtāmure and he summoned the war party which avenged his son at the Battle of Kai-whakareireia.