Te Kāpura: Te Mana Atuatanga Ō IO (The Narrative)

Te Kāpura - The Living Fire Of IO is established under the spiritual authority and mantle of Te Whare Atua Ō Tikitikiōrangi, Te Whare Ō Kupe-Ariki, Te Whare Kokorangi, Te Whatupungapunga Ō Nukutāwhiti, Tūrou Hawaiki - Te Pā, and Ngā Manukura Ō Te Wakaminenga.

The spiritual journey of my life has been shaped by the faith, commitment, and example of my tūpuna and grandparents.

I acknowledge each of these traditions with deep respect, for together they have formed the spiritual inheritance that I have received and are the foundational building blocks of Te Kāpura.

During my grandparents generation, life revolved around three important institutions: the marae, the church, and community sport.

The marae was the centre of Tātai Arorangi (whakapapa), tikanga, and whānau.

The church was the centre of faith and spiritual life.

Community sports such as rugby and tennis brought people together, strengthened friendships, and united communities across generations.

Together, these institutions formed the social, cultural, and spiritual fabric of their lives.

My two grandmothers, Mihipeka Moanaroa Tangitū (née Gardiner) and Winnie Erena Ballie (née Rota), were both devoted members of Te Hāhi Katorika (The Catholic Church) in Rotorua, Whakatāne and Matatā.

Their faith was expressed through prayer, devotion, service, and an unwavering commitment to their whānau and community.

It was through their influence, together with that of my wider whānau, that I attended Hātō Petera Māori Boys College, a Catholic boarding school.

My grandfather, Haami Sam Tawio Ngaropo, who was born and raised in the Waihou Valley, Hokianga, was also raised within both Te Ao Māori and the Catholic faith.

My grandmother, Winnie, later married Richard (Dick) Ballie, who spent much of their lifes farming in the Eastern Bay of Plenty and rebuilding Umutahi Marae.

Across these generations, the Catholic faith remained a constant and enduring influence within our whānau.

For this reason, Te Pou Ō Te Hāhi Katorika stands as one of the spiritual pillars (Pou Wairua) that I acknowledge within my life.

Another important spiritual influence comes through my great-grand-aunt, Nanny Wai Whakaata of Te Māpou, who was a faithful follower of Te Hāhi Ringatū.

Together with my karani Hoori Pawa (George Powell) of Te Teko, who lived during the time when Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Tūruki frequently visited Kōkōhīnau Marae.

Their faith, commitment, and example have become another important part of my spiritual inheritance.

Accordingly, Te Pou Ō Te Hāhi Ringatū also stands as one of the spiritual pillars within my Tātai Arorangi.

Within Te Awa Ō Te Atua, particularly throughout the Matatā district, the teachings of Te Ua Haumēne and the Pai Mārire movement reached many of our people.

The influence of Pai Mārire therefore forms another significant part of my ancestral spiritual history.

For this reason, I also acknowledge Te Pou Ō Te Pai Mārire as an important spiritual pillar within my Tātai Arorangi.

These traditions represent the faith journeys of my ancestors.

They are part of the Tātai Arorangi that has shaped me, and I honour each of them with gratitude and respect.

From childhood, through adolescence and into adulthood.

I have also had the privilege of visiting and learning from many Tohunga, Matakite, and traditional healers throughout Aotearoa and Te Moana Nui a Hīva.

Each carried their own spiritual foundations, wisdom, and understanding.

In acknowledgement of their influence upon my life, I recognise another spiritual pillar, Te Pou Wairua, honouring the many teachers and spiritual guides who have contributed to my journey.

Today, however, my own spiritual life is dedicated to Te Kāpura: Te Mana Atuatanga Ō IO — The Living Fire of IO.

Kāpura is a northern kupu for fire—the sacred home fires that many iwi refer to as ahi kā.

To me, Te Kāpura represents the rekindling of the Living Fire of IO within my own life and the lifelong commitment to embodying that fire through faith, service, learning, and daily practice. Te Kāpura has been created for all Māori, Mauri, Mā'ohi and Māui.

The spiritual journey described in this narrative is my own.

It reflects the people, traditions, and experiences that have shaped my life and formed the foundations of Te Kāpura.

While these experiences are personal, the Living Practice of Te Kāpura has not been developed for me alone.

It has been brought together as a living practice to be shared as a koha for Māori, Mauri, Māʻohi, Māui, and all who genuinely seek to walk its path with humility, integrity, and respect.

It is a spiritual commitment that begins in Hokianga, extends throughout Ngāpuhi, Te Taitokerau, Aotearoa, Te Moana Nui a Hīva, and reaches beyond through service, learning, and the sharing of knowledge.

It is the spiritual path to which I have committed my life and the foundation upon which I seek to live.

I do not regard Te Hāhi Katorika, Te Hāhi Ringatū, Pai Mārire, Te Pou Wairua, and Te Mana Atuatanga Ō IO as competing with one another.

Rather, I recognise them as chapters within the spiritual journey of my Tātai Arorangi.

Each has contributed to the story of my ancestors and, in turn, to my own life. Now I present it as a koha or gift to all.

While I honour the spiritual paths of those who came before me, my own faith, living practice, devotion, and service are offered to Te Kāpura: Te Mana Atuatanga Ō IO — The Living Fire of IO.

It is here that I have chosen to place my spiritual life and practice, with true love, humility, gratitude, and a lifelong commitment to serving IO.

About The Te Kāpura Pages

Across all three websites—Te Tikanga Nui Ō Te Mana Tuku Iho (The Supreme Order of IO Inherent Authority), Te Whare Ō Kupe-Ariki (The Paramount Chieftainship Whare of Kupe), and Kōpū Ariki (The Gathering of Ngā Whare Ariki)—you will find two companion pages entitled Te Kāpura: Te Mana Atuatanga Ō IO (The Living Fire of IO).

The first, The Narrative, is the page you are reading.

It tells the story of my spiritual journey, the traditions that have shaped my life, and the path I have chosen to follow.

Together, these provide the narrative foundation of Te Kāpura: Te Mana Atuatanga Ō IO.

The second, The Living Practice, is intentionally protected.

It contains the Tātai Arorangi, Whakapapa, and Waiata Ruruku that together form the living practice of Te Kāpura: Te Mana Atuatanga Ō IO.

This material is held with care and is not publicly accessible.

Should you have a genuine interest in learning more about Te Kāpura: Te Mana Atuatanga Ō IO, you are welcome to contact me through any of the three websites.

All genuine enquiries will be received with respect and considered accordingly.

I do not see myself as the destination of this work, but as its kauwaka—a vessel entrusted to receive, carry, and share it with others.

My role is one of stewardship, ensuring that Te Kāpura - The Living Fire Of IO is preserved with integrity and passed forward for present and future generations.