In Māori tradition, Ngātokimatawhaorua was one of the great ocean-going, voyaging canoes that was used in the migrations that settled New Zealand. it then went on to create the tribe of Ngapuhi

Ngātokimatawhaorua was originally named Matahourua and was first navigated by Kupe from Hawaiiki to what is now called the Hokianga Harbour (The great returning place of Kupe).