by Mere Whaanga
Rongomaiwahine was a woman of very great status, and her descendants are Ngāti Rongomaiwahine. Because of the mana of their ancestor, Ngāti Rongomaiwahine hold firmly to their identity.
At Māhia Peninsula, on the eastern coast of New Zealand, Ngāti Rongomaiwahine have extensive traditional fishing grounds. The area has many sacred sites which reflect the significance of whales to the tribe, including a whale-shaped hill, Te Ara-a-Paikea.
Main image: Carved lintel depicting Rongomaiwahine
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