Ngā Manukura: IO's Spiritual Protectorate

OG Manukura. These are the 10 original Ariki - Rangatira (royal chiefs) who started the Wakaputanga - Declaration 1800-1835 and Te Wakaminenga - Confederation Of United Chiefs. They are the original Manukura. Manukura means the spiritual protector of the sacred jawbone of IO Matua (supreme creator). Of which they were in their time, and we are now. This became manifest through He Wakapūtanga who's origins stem from Te Hau Pahi Nui held on Marae Taputapuātea to Tau Rangatira, Waitangi.

1. Te Pahi 2. Hongi Hika 3. Waikato 4. Patuone 5. Taonui 6. Pōtatau Te Wherowhero 7. Te Hāpuku 8. Tūhawaiki 9. Iwikau Te Heuheu 10. Tāreha

He Manatunga - Prized heirlooms

Manukura Coat Of Arms

Whiti whiti!

Tino Manukura - Life Member Patrons

2nd Lieutenant Aubrey Te Ramaapakura Rota. My grandmother Winne Erana Rota's baby brother. Has always been a role model I have looked upto. Known for fighting with a taiaha in World War two. Passed in Egypt. My grandmother is the only one of the family who visited him in Egypt and returned soil to the monument at Umutahi Marae. E kore koe e warewaretia. Ka maumahara tonu ahau kia koe.

Last man standing Sir Boom Gillies supported Ngā Manukura. Honoured us by presenting us with a 28 Māori Battalion War Flag and Māori Pioneers Battalion Flag. He believed the Manukura, and Māori who fought in the Aotearoa Land Wars were the first military defence force of our country. He also gave permission for the Memorial Hall, Whare Karakia and Marae to be build in Orsogna - Central Italy to remember all our fallen 28 Māori Battalion soldiers. Moe mai.

Uncle Wira Gardiner was an important person in my mother's life, Amohaere Judith Tangitu. When he was in the army he would always send toys back for us kids at 28 Enderby Drive, Te Atatu North. He and my mother were raised as brother and sister, an affectionately called each other that. When I went to the 80th anniversary of World War 2 in 2024 in Orsogna, Italy. The major of Orsogna brought out a project he and Uncle Wira had been working on. The memorial hall for 28 Māori Battalion in Orsogna. Sir Boom Gillies gave the ok for this project to go ahead. I put my Uncle here because of these connections. E moe Uncle.

Returned serviceman, master carver and direct descendant of Aperahama Te Taonui Jim Te Tuhi was the first kaumātua in Ngāpuhi to support Ngā Manukura. He even dedicated his own 303 rifle to be carved to honor Te Wakaminenga 28 October 1835 for the Manukura. To sit alone side the other 20 303 rifles we use for 21 rifle salute. Which is now held by his son Lucky in Dargaville. Each of the 21 rifles are from World War 1 and 2 and are all carved, and have all the Ariki-rangatira who signed He Wakapūtanga 1835 carved on each rifle. He gave permission for us to do a 21 gun rifle salute at Ōtūreirei at the grave site of Aperahama Taonui. E moe matua.

My father Hami Tawio Ngaropo. My brother Christain Matiu Ngaropo and my youngest son Te Pouoterangi Te Parihorokaka Ngaropo Tāwio who have passed. I would also like to mention my tino tuakana of our whānau who passed when they were babies Hone Ngaropo, and Hami Ngaropo the 3rd. Six sons in total Hone and Hami are the two eldest. Survived by Pouroto, Sam and Kupe. Like Hineteahorangi and Mātangireia I dreamt of Te Pouoterangi's name. Yes it's the name of the Taiaha of our tūpuna Te Ramaapakura. Further to this, in Whare Wānanga kōrero IO takes 19 lightening bolts from his hair and transforms them into a Taiaha. IO uses this Taiaha to cleanse Te Rauroha. Once this was done, he takes it and thrusts it into Te Korekore and names the Taiaha Te Pou Ō Te Rangi. He then hangs Ngā Rangitūhaha on this Taiaha. I know my dad, my three tuakana and my son look after me. Love you all.

Our whanaunga Kane Te Tai who died in Afghanistan saving lives. The Manukura did a 21 gun salute from the base of Te Reinga mountain, Waihou Nui a Rua to honor him and the sacrifice he made. E Io, e rangi, hoatu kia rātou te oranga tonutanga. A, kia whiti kia rātou te maramatanga mutunga kore.

Ngā Manukura – IO's Spiritual Protectorate

Ngā Manukura are the spiritual guardians and protectors of sacred lineage, intention, and balance across Te Moana Nui a Kiwa and beyond. They are the guardians of the sacred jawbone of IO Matua Te Korekore, holding a role of deep spiritual responsibility and ancestral significance.

They stand as a living embodiment of ancestral authority, carrying forward the sacred responsibility entrusted through the whakapapa of Te Tikanga Nui o Te Mana Tuku Iho, Te Wakaminenga, and the signatories of He Wakapūtanga 1835.

The role of Ngā Manukura is not symbolic—it is active, intentional, and transformational.

Ngā Manukura operate within both the physical and spiritual realms, holding the capacity to transmute energy, restore balance, and bring alignment where there is imbalance. Through disciplined practice, sacred ritual, and unwavering intention, they transform tools of conflict into taonga—objects of purpose, humility, and peace.

These taonga are used to project intention into the celestial realms of the Rangitūhāhā (the bespaced heavens), where thought, prayer, and action converge. Each taonga is connected to ancestral presence, honouring the legacy of those who stood in sovereignty and unity. Through this connection, Ngā Manukura act as conduits between past, present, and future—ensuring that all intentions are grounded in aroha, truth, and collective upliftment.

At the heart of Ngā Manukura is a commitment to uphold light in all circumstances:

Where there is darkness, we bring light
Where there is hate, we bring love
Where there is no hope, we bring hope
Where there is sadness, we bring joy
Where there is separation, we bring unity
Where there is hurt, we bring healing

To be Manukura is to walk with discipline, humility, and deep spiritual awareness. It is to understand that true power lies not in dominance, but in alignment—with the self, with the ancestors, and with the greater cosmos. Ngā Manukura are the keepers of sacred balance, the carriers of intention, and the protectors of the spiritual pathways that guide humanity forward.

Over the past five years, Ngā Manukura have conducted 52 ceremonial rifle salutes, each carried out with the highest level of discipline, safety, and sacred protocol. Every salute has been executed without harm to handlers or the public. This work is approached with deep respect, responsibility and reverence for it's spiritual purpose.

Ngā Manukura Ō Te Wakaminenga were given their authority from Te Taumata Kaumātua Ō Ngāpuhi and Te Wakaminenga Ō Ngā Hapū 2020 at Te Rākau Tapu Ō Te Kēmara, Waitangi of which 300 people attended over 4 days. The minutes were written and held by Racheal Witana. These minutes are still unaccounted for.