Pine Taiapa recounts the legend about the Ngāti-Porou tipuna Paikea. According to Pine's uncle, Kapa Potae (Harataunga/Kennedy's Bay) Paikea journeyed to Mercury Island. He was accompanied by a group of women. However, this is refuted by the people of the Waiapu Valley, as their tradition recalls the battle fought by the sons of Hawaiiki when the waka, Tutepewarangi was launched. Legends state, Paikea came alone and visited locations not visited by Kupe. Paikea was seeking a location in Aotearoa similar to the one to which he was accustomed in Hawaiiki.
On arrival at Te Kautuku (Headland at Tikitiki) Paikea met Huturangi (daughter of Te Whiro Nui) bathing in Lake Rototahi - Te Whiro Nui was captain of the Nukutere waka. Paikea immediately had a desire to marry Huturangi. When Paikea asked her where her fellow tribes were, she said they were all at Ngā Puke Tuarua.
Paikea, with Te Whiro Nui's blessing, married Huturangi and they stayed at Te Kautuku. It was here that Ngā Tāpere Nui A Whātonga, was established. According to Pine Taiapa this was the first school of learning in Aotearoa.
Eventually Paikea and Huturangi journey south and settled at Whangara-Mai-I- Tāwhiti. Their desendants are still there today (1993).
Two children were born of the union. One, Pouheni was physically crippled. He was not allowed to touch land, food, housing and human beings. The second son Te Awariki was an agriculturalist and fisherman.
ARA I ARA = TE WHIRO NUI
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HUTURANGI = PAIKEA
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POUHENI TE AWARIKI
The classic Ngāti Porou haka Paikea was first performed at the opening of O-Hine-Waiapu Whare Nui in 1865. In later years the words of the haka were incorporated in a waiata-a-ringa of the same name. (It is interesting to note that Te Arawa has modified the words of Paikea/action song to refer to their ancestral canoe).
Pine Taiapa recites the words of the haka and action song as follows, the haka first:
PAIKEA-HAKA
Uia mai koe
Whakahuatia ake.
Ko wai te whare nei e?
O Hine Waiapu.
Ko wai te tekoteko kei runga?
Ko Paikea. Ko Paikea.
Whakakau Paikea.
Whakakau he taniwha.
Whakakau he tahito.
Ka Paikea ki ahuahu. Pakia!
Kei te whitia koe.
Ko kahutia te rangi.
E ai to ure ki te tamāhine.
A Te Whiro Nui.
Nana i noho te Rototahi.
Aue! Aue!
He koruru koe tama e.!
Paikea Action Song:
Uia mai koe.
Whakahuatia ake.
Ko wai te tekoteko e?
Ko Te Kani!.
Ko wai te tohunga kei runga?
Ko Paikea. Ko Paikea.
Whakakau Paikea.
Whakakau he taniwha.
Whakakau he tāhito.
Ka u Paikea ki ahu ahu. Pakia!
Kei te whitia koe.
Ko kahutia te rangi.