TE HEUHEU TUKINO I, or HEREA, a leading Ngati-Tuwharetoa chief at the end of the eighteenth century, was the son of the Ngati-Turumakina chief Tukino and his wife Parewairere. After the death of the paramount chief of the tribe, Rangi-tua-Matatoru, Herea was invited by the sub-tribes Ngati-Turangi and Ngati-Kurauia, under Whatu-pounamu, to accept the paramount chieftainship in defiance of Te Waka-iti, who was of high rank. Accordingly Herea challenged the leadership and overcame Te Waka-iti in a duel with the pouwhenua, thus becoming undisputed chief of Ngati-Tuwharetoa. He married Rangi-aho, a chieftainess of Ngati-Maniapoto and Waikato.

His son, Tukino, had been named by his mother 'Te Heuheu' in the following circumstances: Before his birth a party of the tribe had gone to the Ngati-Maniapoto country to bring back the bones of her relative Rangi Pumamao, who had died there. Though they knew where to find the bones, the spot was so overgrown with the shrub maheuheu that they could not without great difficulty penetrate the shallow cave in which they lay. The name Heuheu was accordingly given to the child (which was already conceived), and Herea himself, after he had gained the leadership, was called Rangimaheuheu by his wife and others of the tribe. A wise councillor and strong ruler, Herea presided for many years over the tribe. He died in his palisaded pa at Waitahanui, and was buried at Motu-o-apa.

Reference: Volume 1, page 208

🌳 Further sources