Reitū and Reipae

Reitū and Reipae (or Reipare) were twin sisters from the Tainui confederation of Māori tribes in Waikato, New Zealand, who lived before European settlement. Tainui tradition remembers them for the story of Reitū's courtship by Ue-oneone and for the important genealogical connection between Tainui and Ngā Puhi that was created by their marriages.

Life

The basic story is that Ue-oneone, a rangatira of Ngā Puhi descent, who was based at Pawarenga on the Whangape Harbour in Northland became enamoured by the beauty of Reitū – either after visiting her in Waikato or simply after hearing her described in rumours. Therefore, Ue-oneone performed a karakia ('incantation') which caused his pet kāiaia (falcon) to fly all the way to Waikato and land on the paepae of Reitū's house, which was called Tauranga-miromiro ('perch of the tomtit'). As Reitū and Reipae approached the bird it flew back slightly out of reach and they followed it, step by step all the way to Northland.

At Kaipara, Reipae met and married a man called Korowharo or Tāhuhu-pōtiki. A Muriwhenua account claims that Whangārei, which means 'Harbour of Rei' is named for her.

At Ngutu-pakapaka, Reitū and Ue-oneone met and married. The genealogical link created between Tainui and Ngā Puhi by these marriages is very important in Tainui whakapapa.