| Ngāti Ruanui | |
|---|---|
| Iwi (tribe) inMāoridom | |
 | |
| Rohe (region) | Taranaki |
| Waka (canoe) | Kurahaupō,Tākitimu,Aotea,Te Rangiuamutu |
| Population | 7,035 |
| Website | www |
Ngāti Ruanui is aMāoriiwi traditionally based in theTaranaki region ofNew Zealand. In the 2006 census, 7,035 people claimed affiliation to the iwi.[1] However, most members now live outside thetraditional areas of the iwi.
Ruanui is acknowledged as the eponymous ancestor of the iwi. He was the son of Uenuku-puanake and Tāneroroa.[2] Uenuku came from theTākitimucanoe (although this is contested among mātauranga Māori historians), while Tāneroroa was the daughter ofTuri, who came to New Zealand on theAotea canoe. Turi originally landed inAotea Harbour, but eventually settled along thePātea River. Over time, Ruanui’s descendants spread acrosssouth Taranaki.
Ngāti Ruanui was heavily involved intribal wars during the 19th century. In 1816, the iwi was invaded from the north byNgā Puhi warriors carryingmuskets. Over the next few decades, Ngāti Ruanui would come under attack byNgāti Toa,Ngāti Whātua and theWaikato tribes. Ngāti Ruanui had no defence against the invaders armed with muskets, and many Ngāti Ruanui people were captured as slaves. Others were simply displaced by continuing warfare.
Even amidst tribal warfare, Ngāti Ruanui managed to build a successful society. Agriculture provided a stable economy. Ngāti Ruanui workers were employed as labourers inNew Plymouth. Education andChristianity were eagerly embraced.
Ngāti Ruanui were wary of European settlers and their desire for more land. In 1860, whenTe Āti Awa engaged in battle with the British Crown, Ngāti Ruanui sent fighters to support them. At least 10 members of Ngāti Ruanui andNgāruahine died during theFirst Taranaki War, mostly during the defense ofWaireka on 28 March 1860, includingTe Rei Hanataua, chief of Tāngahoe hapū.[3]
In retaliation, in 1865 and 1866, Crown troops invaded south Taranaki, destroying fortifications and villages.[4] In 1868, notable resistance was provided by the tribal leaderTītokowaru against Crown troops approaching from the south. AmongstNew Plymouth settlers the iwi was known as 'Ngāti Ruin-Ruin Us' for the effectiveness of their attacks.[5] But within a few years, Ngāti Ruanui had lost most of its land, displacing more Māori from their traditional lands.
In 1996, theWaitangi Tribunal determined that the Crown had acted unfairly in its conflict with Ngāti Ruanui. A settlement between the New Zealand Government and Ngāti Ruanui was reached in 2001, which was passed into law in 2003.[6] In summary:
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui is the governing body of the iwi. TheRūnanga manages the assets of the iwi, and represents the iwi in political consultations with the New Zealand Government.
Te Korimako O Taranaki is the radio station of Ngāti Ruanui and otherTaranaki region iwi, includingNgāti Tama,Te Atiawa,Ngāti Maru,Taranaki,Ngāti Mutunga,Ngāruahine,Ngā Rauru Kītahi. It started at theBell Block campus ofTaranaki Polytechnic in 1992, and moved to theSpotswood campus in 1993.[7] It is available on94.8FM across Taranaki.[8]
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