Tamakana lived in the 16C. His father an Uri of Tuwharetoa, and his mother from Whanganui. His kainga was at Taurewa mountain, but after strife with his whanau he moved to live with his mothers people at Manganui o te ao.  The rohe of his descendants encompassed all the land from the summit of Mt Ruapehu to the Whanganui River, and from Taumarunui to Raetihi.