Waitaha Pa, Wanganui

Walk 36, Waitaha Pa, 5th July 2020

The Waitaha Pa is between Wanganui and the village of Upukongaro.  Waitaha means “beside water,” like the bank of a river.  It’s an ancient pa and the iwi (tribe) who lived here is not known.

The pa was in a good defensive position above the river.  They could keep an eye on the river and they were able to grow food like kumara on the river flats.

Waitaha Pa, Whanganui River

I grew up in Okoia, the same area as Waitaha Pa and the farm I lived on was in a nearby valley.  It was there that I found an adze of black rock, or rather, it found me.  I wonder if it was from this pa.  Okoia means to scrape or rasp.

I want to find out more about the people who lived here.  Who were the Waitaha?  Where did they go?

Walk: Wanganui 20

The spelling of Wanganui

Wanganui was renamed “Whanganui” by maori activists, against the wishes of the local people.  The name Wanganui is actually a Waitaha name.  There is also a place and a river named ‘Wanganui’ on the West coast of the South Island.  The location is probably named by the same people.  They did not use the ‘wh’ sound.

The Waitaha people

The Waitaha are an ancient tribe.  Since visiting the pa site in 2020, I’ve done hours of research. To learn more go here:- The first people  The research is ongoing as at 2025.  I’ve been to Marlborough but have yet to investigate Waitaha sites in Nelson and Canterbury.
 
 
 

8 thoughts on “Waitaha Pa, Wanganui”

  1. Pingback: Whanganui River Walk – NZShortWalks
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  3. The Waitata people who came through Upukangaro, were from Hei Marae, Manuela, Te Puke. Hei was one of the Arawa Waka landing at Matatā. Hei claimed land as far as the eye can see for his son Waitata. I am descended from Hei & Waitata 4 sets of Great, great parents all trace back to Hei, so that means Waitata is my only Iwi.

    Hei went up to the Coromandal leaving Waitata & his followers to travel all over our country to Stewart Island. Anywhere you find Waitahasomethingit means He was there.Left some followers behind, and moved on. He obviously liked travelling. That is what was handed down to me in the simplest form.

    the Waitata people of old, blond haired, blue eyed are an ancient tribe here after the Moriori as far as I can gather.

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    1. Thanks for contacting me. I am very glad to learn you’re from the tribe of Waitaha of the Te Arawa confederation and to hear about Hei’s travels. What a heritage! Yes I know about blond haired, blue eyed people amongst Waitaha and Ngati Hotu, but being a pakeha I have to be careful with that as it is a touchy subject. What I’m learning from the walks is not always politically correct! I don’t subscribe to the Celtic origins theory, or the dogma there was no-one here before 1350 AD. I do believe some tribes are of ancient origins who came from many different places. Some were very tall. As well as people who could pass for being white there were people of Melanesian stock. I think the ancient people were expert navigators who travelled all over the place, like the Pacific (Hawaiki), South America, Easter Island and the Middle East.

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  4. The Waitata people’s who travelled through Whanganui are descendants of Hei & Waitata, Arawa chiefs, descendants of mine. My 4 great,great Grandparents all trace back to Hei. Hei Marae, Manoeka Te Puke.

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