Haunui’s father was Chief Popoto, the grandson of the famous explorer Kupe. Popoto was among the early arrivals to Aotearoa travelling on the Kurahaupo waka along with the great chief Whatonga and other chiefs. Chief Popoto settled in Mahia and married Nanaia, they had many children, including Haunui, who in his adult life became a Tohunga or high priest, Haunui later married Wairaka.
Upon his return from a trip to Hawaiki Haunui discovered that Wairaka had been abducted by a man named Weku. Haunui set out on a journey south to find Wairaka. He crossed a wide expansive river mouth and named it Whanganui (“Whanga – harbour, Nui – large”). Haunui soon afterwards came across another river, so close to Whanganui that he could almost splash water from one river to the other, he named this river Whangaehu (“Whanga – harbour, ehu – to bail or splash”).
He faced a dilemma at the next river, for it had steep sides making it difficult to cross. Haunui felled a dead tree and placed it across the river to form a bridge over which he climbed. He named this river Turakina (“to throw down”).
After resting overnight Haunui continued his journey south, however he made slow progress because of the rough terrain. He was very tired after a long day of walking when he came across the next river and so he rested. He named this river Rangitikei (“Rangi – day, tikei – walking or plodding”).
The next river was immense in width and depth and caused Haunui to lose his breath as he considered how to cross it, he named this river Manawatū (“Manawa – breath, tū – to stop or halt”). Further south Haunui heard a sound like that of a Hokio, a now extinct nocturnal bird. He named this place Hokio after the bird. After resting here overnight Haunui rose before daybreak and continued his journey south coming across a river he named Ao Ohau (“The daybreak of Hau”).
Haunui waded across the next river using his pou (walking stick) for balance, he named this river Aotaki (“Ao – day, taki – to cross with the assistance of a walking stick”). It was another long day with still no sign of the Wairaka and Weku, Haunui stopped on the banks of a little stream to say a Karakia, he named this place Waimeha (“to be weary or tired”).
Haunui continued along the shore and as he approached another river he came across footprints in the wet sand, he knew that Wairaka, and her abductor Weku must be close. Haunui crossed the river cautiously looking from side to side as he slowly crossed the river. Haunui named this river Waikanae (“Wai – water, Kanae – to stare wildly”).
Haunui’s perseverance was rewarded when he came across Wairaka and Weku in a cave at Paekakariki (“the assembly place of the green parrot”). Weku was swiftly dispatched. Haunui, using his powers as a Tohunga turned Wairaka into stone as she waded into the sea. Wairaka remains there today, a rock known as Wairaka rock located at the southern end of Pukerua Bay.
After taking revenge Haunui chose to return to his village via the eastern side of the North Island. Ahead of Haunui was a large mountain, he climbed the mountain and sat on the top to rest and named this Remutaka (“to sit down”). While resting Haunui caught sight of the sun reflecting spectacularly off the waters of a large lake located in a valley to the east, this caused his eyes to water. Haunui named the lake Wairarapa (“glistening waters”).
Looking further north through the valley Haunui sighted a high mountain standing tall and alone above the native forest. Haunui used the mountain as a guide in his trek northwards and named it Rangitumau (“standing up to the sky”). Haunui made his way down to the floor of the valley and still travelling north he came across a stream and a whare, the walls and roof of which were thatched with nikau palms. Haunui named this river Tauwharenikau (“the house made of nikau”).
At the next river crossing Haunui rested, as he looked into the waters he imagined he could see Wairaka’s face, which made him sad. Haunui named this river Wai o Hine Wairaka (“tears for Wairaka”). After travelling further north over the Taratahi plain Haunui came to a wider river, with many different courses and bends, which he called Waiawangawanga (“troubled or uncertain water”), today this river is known as Waingawa.
At the next river he tested the water depth with his pou and gave it the name Waipoua (“Wai – water, pou – walking stick”). The final river named by Haunui on his trek was Ruamahanga (“twin forks”) referring to the many tributaries that join the river or to a bird snare that Haunui found placed in the fork of a tree on the river bank.