There once was a famous, powerful chief named Rāhiri - a formidable Rangatira. He was a handsome man and a bit of a rascal. He was the son of Hauangiangi and Tauramoko.  

Rahiri was born in Whiria at Pakanae in the Hokianga (in approximately 1481) 

Rahiri met his first wife Ahuaiti, who was from Mangakahia and they both  lived at Pouerua 

(Pouerua is the Maunga in Ngawha)

Whilst Rahiri and Ahuaiti were living at Pouerua, Rahiri heard that her two brothers Korakatea and Korakanui were coming to visit. Rahiri knew that he would not be home when her brothers arrived, so he told his wife that she was not to give them the best mongeroi (fern-root), instead she was to feed them the inferior ones. Rahiri arrived home to find that Ahuaiti had ignored his wishes and had fed them the good fern-root.

Angry, Rahiri left Ahuaiti and returned to his pa Whiria in Pakanae.  (little did he know that Ahuaiti was pregnant. She was to have a son whom she named Kaharau)

Whilst at Whiria pa, Rahiri met Whakaruru who was from Pakanae and married her. They too, had a son, whom they named Kaharau. Rahiri, Whakaruru and Kaharau lived at Whiria pa and Kaharau grew into a young man.

Meanwhile, back at Pouerua, Uenuku had also grown. One day he asked his mother “Who is my father?” Ahuaiti told him of his father to which Uenuku had many unanswered questions. Uenuku’s name had been lengthened to Uenukukuare because he did not have the esoteric knowledge that a young man of high birth such as he, should have had. 

(Kuare means to lack understanding.) 

One day Uenuku left in search of his father Rahiri. Uenuku wanted to meet his father. He wanted to know the incantations and rituals that would complete his knowledge. Ahuaiti told Uenuku to follow the Mangakahia River and taste of its waters every now and then. When the river  became salty he was told, he would find his father…

At last Uenuku arrived at Whiria……to where his father Rahiri was. Kaharau (the teina) had no knowledge of Uenuku (the tuakana) Although Kaharau lived with Rahiri at Whiria, Uenuku believed himself to be senior to Kaharau.