Whakaawi

Whakaawi (Maori pronunciation: [ɸakaaːwi]) was a Māori woman of high birth in both the Ngāti Te Wehi tribe and Ngāti Mahuta tribe,^[1] who was the senior wife of the chief Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, who died in 1860.^[2] His other wives were Waiata, Raharaha and Ngāwaero.^[2]

Whakaawi's son Tāwhiao

Whakaawi gave birth to Tāwhiao at Orongokoekoea Pā, about 1825. Tāwhiao later became the second Māori King in 1860. Whakaawi's parents, Manu-whaka-aweawe (grandson of Te Wehi of Ngāti Te Wehi) and Parekairoro of Ngāti Wairere, raised him. It is possible that she was also the mother of Te Paea Tīaho.^[3]

King Mahuta, the third Māori King, reigning from 1894 to 1912, was Whakaawi's grandson.^[4]