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We of the sacred footprint in the earth, the footprints of the high-born, the footprints on our foreshores.

About Peretū (Rangitoto Island)

The most identifiable maunga (mountain) in Tāmaki Makaurau is often referred to as Rangitoto. Our name for this maunga is Peretū. Peretū was an important tupuna or ancestor of Ngāi Tai. He was named after an event which resulted in his father’s death. Many places in Tāmaki are named after Peretū:

Te Raho Para o Peretū – Castor Bay
Te Kiritai o Peretū – Narrowneck Beach
Ō-Peretu – Fort Takapuna
Te Awanui o Peretū – the Peretū (Rangitoto) Channel
Te Pounui a Peretū – Ponui/Chamberlins Island

The tribe’s original name for the top of the maunga is Ngā Pona Toru a Peretū – the three knucklebones of Peretū. You can see another representation of these knucklebones in the gateway located at the main Rangitoto Island wharf. Ngā Pona Toru a Peretū is now an official statutory name for the peak. The story of how the name Rangitoto was applied to the maunga relates to an event subsequent to Peretū and between Hoturoa (Tainui waka) and Tamatekapua (Te Arawa waka).

The Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Tribal Connection

Tapuwae o Nuku, Tapuwae Ariki, Tapuwae o Tai! Ko Kohukohunui, ko Moehau, ko Ngā Pona Toru a Peretū ngā maunga. Ko Tikapa Moana – Te Moananui-a-Toitehuatahi, ko Waitematā, ko Maraetai ngā moana. Ko Te Wairoa te Awa. Ko Umupuia ko Whataapaka ngā marae. Ko Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki te Iwi taketake.

Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki are original inhabitants and Iwi of Tāmaki Makaurau. The Iwi is based in Maraetai, the Waitematā, and Tikapa Moana, and exercises mana whenua and mana moana responsibilities across Auckland including Tikapa Moana and the Manukau Harbour. Ngāi Tai marae include Umupuia and Whataapaka, and the Iwi has whakapapa and other relationships with all Iwi in Tāmaki. Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Waiora Limited is the Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki subsidiary dedicated to aquaculture activities.

Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki is an Iwi accustomed to living by the sea as reflected in the tribal proverb “he iwi karoro inu tai”. The Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Trust’s mission is: By Ngāi Tai, For Ngāi Tai. The Trust’s overarching purpose is focussed on (1) Mana Moana, Mana Whenua, Manawa; and (2) Improving the wellbeing of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki by leveraging our talents, endowments, and partnerships. The Iwi organisation is guided by its values Kaitiakitanga, Kotahitanga, Manaakitanga, Mana Whenua, Rangatiratanga, Whanaungatanga – and is enthusiastic around partnering with GEMX to celebrate Peretū/Rangitoto through the Peretū Half Marathon.