Ngāti Kahungunu trace their origins to the "Tākitimu" waka. According to Ngāti Kahungunu traditions, "Tākitimu" arrived in Aotearoa from Samoa around 1100–1200 AD as one of the "waka" in the great migration. Other "waka" included "Tainui", "Te Arawa", "Tokomaru", "Ārai Te Uru", "Mataatua", "Kurahaupo", "Aotea", "Ngātokimatawhaorua", and "Horouta". According to local legend, Tākitimu and its crew were completely "tapu". Its crew comprised men only: high chiefs, chiefs, tohunga and elite warriors. No cooked food was eaten before or during the voyage. The captain of "Tākitimu" was Tamatea Arikinui, also known as Tamatea Pokai-Whenua. He left the "waka" at Turanga, travelling overland until he arrived at Ahuriri in the Hawke's Bay Region. The waka "Tākitimu" itself continued its voyage to the South Island under a new captain, Tahu Pōtiki. It is from Tahu Pōtiki that the South Island iwi of Ngāi Tahu takes its name.