Ngā Puhi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ngā Puhi form one of the major and (with over 100,000 members) the single most numerous of the Māori tribes or iwi in New Zealand, occupying much the Northland Peninsula, also known as Tai Tokerau, north of the city of Auckland.
Early in the 19th century, Ngā Puhi chief Hongi Hika (uncle of Hone Heke), became one of the first chiefs to acquire firearms and an associated bellicose reputation. After a visit to England and meeting King George IV he was given gifts which he later traded in Sydney for arms - and became a central player in the Musket Wars.
Events of August 2004 may have the effect of recognising Ngāti Hine as an independent iwi rather than a hapu of Ngā Puhi.