Whakaawi (Maori pronunciation: [ɸakaaːwi]) was a Māori woman of high birth in both the Ngāti Te Wehi tribe and Ngāti Mahuta tribe,[1] who was the senior wife of the chief Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, who died in 1860.[2] His other wives were Waiata, Raharaha and Ngāwaero.[2]
Whakaawi gave birth to Tāwhiao at Orongokoekoea Pā, about 1825. Tāwhiao later became the second Māori King in 1860. Whakaawi's parents, Manu-whaka-aweawe (grandson of Te Wehi of Ngāti Te Wehi) and Parekairoro of Ngāti Wairere, raised him. It is possible that she was also the mother of Te Paea Tīaho.[3]
King Mahuta, the third Māori King, reigning from 1894 to 1912, was Whakaawi's grandson.[4]
References
edit- ^ The King Country, Or, Explorations in New Zealand: A Narrative of 600 Miles of Travel by James Henry Kerry-Nicholls
- ^ a b Oliver, Steven. "Te Wherowhero, Pōtatau". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
- ^ Ballara, Angela. "Te Paea Tīaho". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
- ^ Ballara, Angela. "Mahuta Tāwhiao Pōtatau Te Wherowhero". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 13 May 2012.