According to Jones, the line of descent is Hoturoa, Hotuope, Hotuāwhio, Hotumatapū, Mōtai, Ue (who married Kahupeka), Rakamaomao, and Kākāti.
[3] He was born at Kāwhia and had one older brother, Koro-te-whao, about whom nothing is recorded,[3] and a younger half-brother, Tuhianga, who had further descendants, including Haumia[4] and Kaihamu.
[5] As a young man, Tāwhao moved to Whāingaroa (Raglan), where he married Pūnui-a-te-kore, daughter of Te Aorere, another descendant of Hoturoa.
[6] After his marriage, Tāwhao fell in love with his wife's younger sister, Maru-tē-hiakina, who lived at Hōrea on the other side of Whāingaroa harbour.
[6] Eventually, the conflict led Tūrongo to leave Kāwhia and settle at Pukehou in the southern Hawke's Bay Region.