The Hon. Hori Kerei Taiaroa was a principal chief of the Ngai Tahu and in the late 1870s built a large two-storey house at Taumutu which was named ‘Awhitu’. He moved his family, stock and other belongings there from the marae at Otakou (Taiaroa Heads). The Taiaroa family subsequently played an important part in the development of the Taumutu district. He variously represented the Maori people both in the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives from May 1871 until his death on 5 August 1905. His wife’s name was Mrs Tawa Tini Taiaroa, reported to have been a remarkable woman.
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The name Taiaroa is shared by the paramount chief of Ngati Tuwharetoa, an iwi based around Lake Taupo. The current chief was Sir Archie Taiaroa, until his death in 2010.
I believe the Taiaroa name is associated with Otakau because the then Tuwharetoa chief was taken away in chains by British forces and put to work crushing rocks to build the Penisula’s coastal road. It is a very shameful thing, if true. Perhaps I have the story mixed up. But if it’s true, it would be appropriate to mention it here, in case people think Taiaroa is a Ngai Tahu name..