Born: 1750 (circa), New Zealand
Died: 1830 (circa)
Country most active: New Zealand
Also known as: NA
Te Ao-kapurangi was likely born in the late 1700s. Her parents were Parepūwhenua and possibly Te Whangongo. Descended from Tamatekapua of Te Arawa canoe and from Hoturoa of the Tainui canoe, she was a woman of mana, who belonged to Ngāti Rangiwewehi and Tapuika hapū. (The Māori word mana has many meanings, including authority, charisma, prestige, integrity, spiritual power and strength.) Te Ao-kapurangi’s first husband was Rauru of Tapuika and they had two sons.
In 1818 she was captured by Hauraki, a Ngāpuhi leader on an mission of revenge to the Bay of Plenty and East Cape districts. He brought her to the Bay of Islands and she became one of his wives.
In 1822 Ngāpuhi led by Te Pae-o-te-rangi had been killed by Tūhourangi people on Motutawa and Ngāti Whakaue killed some of the fugitives at Ōhinemutu. The following February, Te Ao-kapurangi accompanied warriors sent to avenge these deaths. At Tauranga they heard that many Te Arawa had withdrawn to Mokoia Island, and decided to travel inland from Waihi along the Pongakawa river valley to get there. Te Ao-kapurangi told her husband that she was concerned for her Ngāti Awa relatives living in the valley. He allowed her to address Ngāpuhi leaders, and Te Koki agreed that his quarrel was only with Tūhourangi and Ngāti Whakaue who had killed his nephew Te Pae-o-te-rangi.
At Rotorua, her husband again allowed her to address Ngāpuhi leaders and . again she reminded them that those responsible for Te Pae-o-te-rangi’s death did not include her own people, Ngāti Rangiwewehi and Tapuika. Once again Te Koki agreed that his quarrel was only with Tūhourangi and Ngāti Whakaue. Others agreed and her husband sent Te Ao-kapurangi to Mokoia Island, where Te Ao-kapurangi was recognised and given permission to speak by her kinsman Hikairo, a Ngāti Rangiwewehi leader. Calling from the canoe, she proposed that her relatives should go somewhere else, where they would be safe. But Hikairo, although pleased by Ngāpuhi’s consideration, refused to abandon his other Te Arawa kin.
Te Ao-kapurangi returned, and told Ngāpuhi that if she was to save her relatives, she would need to be present at the battle. The leaders agreed, but Hongi Hika decreed that Ngāpuhi would spare only those who passed between Te Ao-kapurangi’s thighs. The next day, they attacked Mokoia. As soon as she had landed on the island, Te Ao-kapurangi hurried to a house, Tamatekapua, and stood on the roof astride the ridgepole, calling for her people to save themselves. They filled the house, and Ngāpuhi allowed them to enter it and respected it as a place of safety. This is the origin of the saying, ‘Anō ko te whare whawhao a Te Ao-kapurangi’ (How like the crowded house of Te Ao-kapurangi), used when many people crowd together in a house. The next day, Ngāpuhi made peace and were persuaded not to take the conquered land for themselves, and not to pursue the fugitives. A permanent peace was established, thanks in part to Te Ao-kapurangi.
She travelled on to the East Coast with her two sons and husband, who established himself at Nukutaurua on the Māhia peninsula. Little is known of her later life and her death is not recorded, but after she passed, her grand-daughter, Rangiwawahia, composed a famous lament for in her honour.