Ngāti Kahungunu originates from the Tākitimu waka, which sailed from Haiwaiki led by Tamatea Arikinui. His son Rongokako married Muriwhenua and they had a son, the great explorer Tamatea Ure Haea. At Kaitāia, Tamatea Ure Haea’s son Kahungunu was born. An energetic and talented leader, Kahungunu built villages and irrigated the land. Travelling south, he had many wives and many children, but the most well-known wife was Rongomaiwahine. 

From this famous love match came the descendants who call themselves Ngāti Kahungunu.

Ngāti Kahungunu has the third largest Iwi by population (95,751 at 2023 census). Geographically, Ngāti Kahungunu has the second largest tribal rohe in the country, from the Wharerata ranges in the Wairoa district extending to south Wairarapa. The coastal boundaries are Paritu in the north to Turakirae in the south. Ngāti Kahungunu is a thriving tribe made up of six Taiwhenua (Regional offices within the tribal area), four Taurahere (offices outside the tribal area), 87 marae and approximately 400+ hapū.

In the Tāmaki nui-a-Rua and Wairarapa districts, the mana of Ngāti Kahungunu was established by the fighting chiefs known as Te Aomatarahi, Taraia, Te Whatuiapiti and Te Kikiri o Te Rangi. Through their conquests Ngāti Kahungunu became established within their current location. Kei ngā kōrero o ngā mātua tūpuna mō tēnei rohe; “Which was taken by a strong hand, was never regained by a strong hand”, giving Ngāti Kahungunu mana whenua rights and status.

Today Ngāti Kahungunu people celebrate the fact that they are a tribe who can connect to all waka having whakapapa connections to all tribes within Aotearoa.