ARAWA ROMANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 291, 9 December 1929, Page 19

ARAWA ROMANCE.

LINK WITH HAURAKI.

KAHUREREMOA'S QUEST.

REJECTED PATERNAL CHOICE,

Arising out of the recent articles tracing tie relationship of- various Auckland tribe* descended from Hotunui 11., after whom the carved house in the Auckland Museum is named, an interest has been evinced as to how the Arawas of Rotoiua are linked with this line of the ■Tainui people. - Tie subject, as a matter of fact, is the means of recalling a romance that rivals that of Hinemoa and Tutanekai. It appears that when Marutuahu, son of Hotunui, migrated from Kawhia to Hauraki to seek out ihis father, he discovered that the latter had married a woman named Waitapu, whose son, Paka, was therefore a half-brother to Marutuahu. It was Paka's daughter, Kahureremoa, a chieftainess of renowned beauty, who made one of the important blood ties between the Hauraki people and the Arawas. Paka early had betrothed her, for reasons of tribal diplomacy, to Te Taui, a chief at Te Aotea (Great Barrier), who visited Hauraki with much tribute, including native foods. The lady relished the tasty things, but showed a strong disinclination to his amours —and the chief returned home disappointed, but etill hopeful. The next season he again arrived with bounty. Ivahureremoa showed interest in the edibles brought in ler honour, but her father forbade participation if she still refused to accept Jhe hand of the chosen warrior.

Thus. humiliated in the'sight of her she decided that she could not stay in the pa, but would, seek out the man of her heart, who happened to be an iArawa warrior whom she had secretly admired when he called upon her father. Under cover of darkness, and with a servant as companion, the chieftainess slipped away on what she knew would be a long and arduous trip. Owing to her high rank she had to make courtesy calls at various pa?, where her favour Was sought by chiefs. On eeveral occasions her refusal of marriage was fraught with ment and the danger .of offending the earnest chiefs who showered her with hospitality. Her guiding star was at Botoiti, and she pushed on unerringly to that destination. Just before reaching •there she had a surprise meeting with her lover, who was overjoyed to think that the chieftainess should show such bravery and devotion in order to attain her heart's desire. - The marriage was duly celebrated, and She result of the union was Tuparahaki, whose descendants are among the proininent chiefs in that district to-day.