Like many of the great voyaging canoes of Aotearoa, the story of Te Arawa begins in the islands of Eastern Polynesia. It forms part of the wider story of our Pacific ancestors, who navigated vast distances across Te Moana Nui a Kiwa using sophisticated knowledge of stars, winds, ocean currents, and swells to explore and settle new lands.

The ocean-going Polynesian sailing canoe now known as Te Arawa was built on the island of Raiatea, in present-day French Polynesia. It was one of the great va'a, vaka, or waka that brought early settlers to Aotearoa. During its construction, another famous voyaging canoe, Tainui, was also being built nearby. In time, both would carry migrants from Eastern Polynesia southward to a new homeland in the land of the long white cloud.

The people for whom the canoe was built were known as Ngati Ohomairangi. However, during the voyage, both the people and the canoe would take on new names that endure to this day.

Tradition records that the great tree from which the canoe was fashioned was felled by four men: Rata, Wahieroa, Ngahue, and Parata. The highly skilled construction was carried out using greenstone adzes, or toki pounamu, sourced from Aotearoa. Ngahue is said to have previously voyaged there and returned with the prized stone and tools.

Like many of the voyaging groups who left Eastern Polynesia, Ngati Ohomairangi's desire to depart was influenced by conflict and political tensions. Oral histories recount that disputes with the high chief Uenuku prompted thoughts of seeking a new home. Among their people was the bold and adventurous chief Tama-te-kapua, who pledged to lead them south.

When the canoe was ready, however, Tama-te-kapua still lacked a navigator and priest capable of performing the sacred rituals necessary for such a voyage.

According to tradition, he tricked the renowned priest and navigator Ngatoro-i-rangi and his wife Kearoa into coming aboard. While Ngatoro-i-rangi was occupied, Tama-te-kapua ordered the canoe to put to sea, beginning one of the most famous voyages in Maori history.

The relationship between the two leaders remained strained throughout the journey.

Tradition tells that Tama-te-kapua began an affair with Kearoa, greatly offending Ngatoro-i-rangi. Enraged, the priest called upon his spiritual powers and a violent storm arose. Huge seas threatened to overwhelm the canoe as a great whirlpool drew Te Arawa towards destruction.

Recognising the danger facing everyone on board, Ngatoro-i-rangi eventually relented and calmed the seas. As the waters settled, he observed an arawa, or shark, swimming nearby. According to Te Arawa tradition, the shark accompanied the canoe for the remainder of its journey and inspired Ngatoro-i-rangi to rename the vessel Te Arawa. Thereafter, the people themselves became known as Te Arawa.

The newly named canoe eventually arrived at Whangaparaoa in the eastern Bay of Plenty, in the region known as Te Moana-a-Toi. Upon landing, the crew discovered that the Tainui canoe had also reached Aotearoa. A longstanding and good-natured rivalry remains between the descendants of Te Arawa and Tainui as to which canoe arrived first.

Following their arrival, Te Arawa continued to explore the coastline of the new land.

As they travelled, important landmarks were named and territories claimed. At the northern end of what is now known as the Coromandel Peninsula, Tama-te-kapua claimed Mount Moehau as his home and eventual resting place. Further south, he identified the Maketu Peninsula as a place for settlement and established it as an important centre for his people.

Today, two of Aotearoa's most prominent tribal groupings trace their ancestry to those who arrived aboard Te Arawa. The descendants of Tama-te-kapua settled throughout the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua regions, becoming the many iwi collectively known as Te Arawa.

Ngatoro-i-rangi and his followers travelled further inland, establishing themselves around Lake Taupo and becoming the ancestors of Ngati Tuwharetoa.

More than seven centuries later, the story of Te Arawa remains a powerful reminder of the courage, leadership, and navigational skill of our Polynesian ancestors. The descendants of Te Arawa and Ngati Tuwharetoa continue to play a significant role in the cultural, social, and economic life of Aotearoa, carrying forward the legacy of those who first crossed Te Moana Nui a Kiwa in search of a new home.