About the Author

Heni Collins is a journalist, researcher and community worker. She has a MPhil (Maori Studies) degree on the social psychology and history of Maori/Pakeha identity, and works with a trust helping troubled youth. When she began working on this project in 1999, Heni knew only of her connection to Te Rauparaha through his mother's side, Ngati Huia. She is a descendant of Te Rauparaha's uncle Hapekituarangi (Ngati Raukawa), under whom Te Rauparaha trained in battle as a young man. More recently Heni discovered that her whanau also descends from Haumia, brother of Mango, from whom Toarangatira descends. Her great-uncle Piwiki Te Horohau carved the first Takapuwahia wharenui in Porirua in 1901. Heni has had the support of Ngati Toa, her hapuof Ngati Kikopiri, Te Waka Toi and Pataka Porirua Museum of Arts & Cultures for this project. She lives in Wellington and has two tamariki.