New book shares the history of more Ngati Whakaue marae

More than 40 people have gathered at Tarukenga Marae for the launch of a book celebrating Ngati Whakaue marae, their history and their people.

Author Cyrus Hingston presented the book, Pou o Ue, which he has spent two and a half years researching and compiling, to representatives from across the marae.

His first book Pou o Whakaue looked at eight marae across Ngati Whakaue.

His new book carries on that research looking at six additional marae - Tarimano, Ruamata, Waiteti, Parawai, Tarukenga and Pikirangi.

The book delves into the whenua, whare, tupuna, whakapapa, korero, hapu and whanau associated to each of those marae and takes its name from the Ngati Whakaue ancestor, Uenukukopako, as a representative of the wider iwi.

Author Cyrus Hingston, left, with Henare Colbert at the launch of Pou o Ue. Photo/Ben Fraser

At the presentation of his first book on Sunday Mr Hingston was tapped on the shoulder by Henare Colbert who asked him "what about the others?".

Mr Hingston said it took a few months but eventually it was an itch he had to scratch and that's when he began work on Pou o Ue.

Ngati Whakaue Endowment Trust donated money to enable Mr Hingston to undertake his research.

"I'd like to thank the people of Ngati Whakaue for their time and korero," he said.

Mr Hingston reached out to kaumatua and kuia from across the marae for help with his research and said some interviews could take up to three hours they were so interesting.

"If you watch Game of Thrones the stories on that are no match for what happened here," he said.

"They may have dragons, but we had taniwha."

Mr Hingston handed out signed copies of his books to those who had helped him in his research.

New book launched about local marae called Pou o Ue. Photo/Ben Fraser

Representative of Ngati Ngararanui Waiteti marae Guy Ngatai said these events were important for Maori people.

"It's important that these stories aren't lost," he said.

"Thank you Henare for tapping on the shoulders of Cyrus.

"We are indebted overwhelmingly to the dedication and the time that he has spent on this book."