Ko Au, Ko Apanui

This print tells the story of the eventful reunion of Rongomaihuatahi and her son, Apanui Ringamutu, with their kin of the Ngāti Wahineiti in Ōmāio.

After escaping the massacre of her father in Uaua, Rongomaihuatahi fled to the Bay of Plenty region where she gave birth to her son 'Apanui' named after her father Apanui Waipapa. 

Around 6-7 years had gone by and after Tūrīrangi, father of Apanui, had avenged the death of Apanui Waipapa, her brother Te Aotākaia with a covoy of Ngāti Porou travelled to Ōmāio for a meeting. Upon hearing this Rongomaihuatahi travelled from (Mōtū River) with Apanui to hopefully reunite with her family.

Once arriving there Rongomaihuatahi hid in harakeke on the banks of Waiōira awa (now a small stream). 

She sent out Apanui to play with the children there and according to my oral history, saw her fathers Takapouwharanui (ancestral mat) where she told Apanui to sit.

Seeing this Te Aotākaia questioned Apanui on who he was to sit on his fathers whāriki, his reply, "ko au, ko Apanui" he then told his uncle, Te Aotākaia, who his mother was and to the highest delight and tearful joy, Rongomaihuatahi and Apanui were reunited with their whānau.

From this moment Apanui inherited his lands from his Uncle Te Aotākaia from Puketapu to Pōtikirua for him and his mokopuna, now known as the iwi 'Te Whānau Ā Apanui'.