[3][2] The recognised rohe (tribal area) of Ngāti Rangitihi was submitted to the Waitangi Tribunal in evidence during an urgent hearing in February 2002.
It was not challenged by the legal Counsel for the Crown, Tuwharetoa ki Kawerau or Ngāti Awa who were all present at the time.
[3][2] The Tionga Marae was located on Lot 5, Arawa Street, Matatā, where it was owned by members Tangihia family.
In the late 1880s Ngāti Mahi renovated the Tionga marae, replacing the thatch with an iron roof and the raupō wall panels with sawn timber.
The first and original Rangitihi house belonged to the Ngāti Rangiwewehi chief Te Rangitewhata and stood at Puhirua pā on the shores of Lake Rotorua.