Te Pae o Uta

The name Te Pae o Uta derives from a karakia used by Nukutawhiti, upon the arrival of Ngātokimatawhaorua waka into the Hokianga Harbour.

Te Pae o Uta refers to the “sight of land” when Nukutawhiti, grandson of Kupe, The Discoverer of Aotearoa, guided the waka hourua Ngātokimatawhaorua into the Hokianga Harbour. The karakia gave the crew a sense of safe arrival and unity having traversed the dangers of the largest body of water on the planet, Te Moananui-a-Kiwa, from Hawaiki to Aotearoa. The karakia acknowledged the safe passage and guidance across the Pacific and gave Nukutawhiti the confidence to navigate the treacherous bar across the Hokianga Harbour entrance.