Tūtānekai
Date of birth
Circa 1525
Gender
Male
Biography
Biological son of Tūwharetoa and Rangiuru
Adopted son of Whakaue-kaipāpā
Husband of Hinemoa
Father of Te Whatumairangi and Tamakuri
Brother of Ngararanui; Tuteaiti; Tupaharanui; Tawakeheimoa and Uenukukopako, II
Half brother of Te Rahikoia; Manaiawharepu; Rongomaitengangana
Tūtānekai lived on Mokoia Island in Lake Rotorua. Although of high rank, he was an illegitimate child. He was conceived when Tūwharetoa, a chief from Kawerau, visited the island. His mother Rangiuru was forgiven by her husband, Whakaue, who reared the boy as his own. Tūtānekai grew into a handsome young man, a fine dancer and athlete, which aroused the jealousies of his three elder half-brothers. All four had fallen in love with the beautiful Hinemoa of Ōwhata, on the lake’s eastern shore. However, it was Tūtānekai’s seductive flute-playing that won Hinemoa’s heart.
Paul Tapsell, 'Te Arawa - Warfare and marriages', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/1526/tutanekai (accessed 19 February 2019) Story by Paul Tapsell, published 8 Feb 2005, updated 22 Mar 2017
Adopted son of Whakaue-kaipāpā
Husband of Hinemoa
Father of Te Whatumairangi and Tamakuri
Brother of Ngararanui; Tuteaiti; Tupaharanui; Tawakeheimoa and Uenukukopako, II
Half brother of Te Rahikoia; Manaiawharepu; Rongomaitengangana
Tūtānekai lived on Mokoia Island in Lake Rotorua. Although of high rank, he was an illegitimate child. He was conceived when Tūwharetoa, a chief from Kawerau, visited the island. His mother Rangiuru was forgiven by her husband, Whakaue, who reared the boy as his own. Tūtānekai grew into a handsome young man, a fine dancer and athlete, which aroused the jealousies of his three elder half-brothers. All four had fallen in love with the beautiful Hinemoa of Ōwhata, on the lake’s eastern shore. However, it was Tūtānekai’s seductive flute-playing that won Hinemoa’s heart.
Paul Tapsell, 'Te Arawa - Warfare and marriages', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/1526/tutanekai (accessed 19 February 2019) Story by Paul Tapsell, published 8 Feb 2005, updated 22 Mar 2017
