| Ngati Maniapoto |
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Information AboutNgati Maniapoto |
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Ngati Maniapoto is an Iwi based in the Waikato-Waitomo region of New Zealand's North Island . Statistic figures from the 2001 New Zealand census show it to have a membership of 27,168 1 . This makes it the 8th biggest iwi in New Zealand. During the New Zealand Wars Ngati Maniapoto engaged in some battles, and the Waikato-Waitomo region which Ngati Maniapoto controlled was often a retreating point for allied iwis to 'fall back' to after being pushed south by the British Forces . The principal marae of Ngati Maniapoto is considered to be Te Tokanga Nui A Noho {Link without Title} at Te Kuiti in the King Country. This marae was gifted to Ngati Maniapoto by Te Kooti (a Tuhoe tribesman) who sought refuge from the British colonial army during the land wars. After the land wars paramount chief of the Ngati Maniapoto tribe Taonui Hikaka and warrior chiefs Rewi Manga Maniapoto and Wahanui negotiated with the colonial government after the Land Wars to allow the Main Trunk railway line through Ngati Maniapoto territories ( named Nehenehenui). This was done because of word that Tawhio (the second Maori King from the Waikato region) and Te Kooti who were both sought refuge in the Maniapoto territory from the British colonial soldiers during the Land Wars, were also trying to negotiate rail access and the Native Land Courts through the region with the British colonial government. This could have meant that the Ngati Maniapoto tribe would become landless. When Tawhio found out what they did he threw his hat in anger, onto the survey map of the Ngati Maniapoto territory (Nehenehenui) in Kihikihi where negotiations had taken place and claimed the area where the hat fell as Te Rohe Potae (or the land are of the hat of the King, or kingdom). To day this territory is called the King Country, in reference to this event. FAMOUS PERSONS FROM THE NGATI MANIAPOTO TRIBE
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