Ngāti Rongomaiwahine


Ngāti Rongomaiwahine or Rongomaiwahine is a Māori iwi traditionally centred in the Mahia Peninsula on the North Island of New Zealand. In the 2006 census, 4,254 people identified as Rongomaiwahine; by the 2013 census, this has increased to 4,473 people. It is closely connected to the Ngāti Kahungunu iwi.
The people of Rongomaiwahine are descended from a common ancestor, Rongomaiwahine. She was descended from Ruawharo, the tohunga of the Tākitimu waka , and Popoto, the commander of the Kurahaupō waka.
In Māori tradition, Rongomaiwahine was known to have had two husbands: Tamatakutai and Kahungunu. With Tamatakutai, she bore two daughters, Rapuaiterangi and Hinerauiri. With Kahungunu she bore five children: Kahukuranui, Rongomaipapa, Tamateakota, Mahakinui and Tauheikuri.
Historically, Rongomaiwahine have operated successful whaling stations. Today, fishing remains an important industry, along with the operation of sheep and cattle stations. Rongomaiwahine Iwi Trust is the administrative body of the iwi.

Marae and wharenui

Peninsula marae

Te Atihau was the tribe's traditional marae. The ground is now part of farming station of designated Māori freehold land which Rocket Lab uses to launch satellites.
The iwi is also associated with three other marae and wharenui on the peninsula:
The iwi is associated with four marae and wharenui north of the peninsula: