The Uruao first landed at Te Rerenga Wairua | Cape Reinga, stopped at Ahuriri | Napier, then voyaged south to Whakatū | Nelson, the gateway to Te Waipounamu | South Island. It was here, Waitaha lit the first fires of occupation (ahi kā), symbolising our permanent connection to the whenua.

From Whakatū, Rākaihautū explored inland along the east side of Kā Tiritiri o te Moana | Southern Alps, south to Ōtākou | Otago and well into Waitaha | Canterbury. His son Rakihouia remained on the Uruao and travelled by sea down the east coast.