According to tribal history, the people of this Hapu are the descendants of the tangata whenua tribes who landed at Te Rangatapu on the Te Rangiuamutu waka, captained by Tamatearokai. The tangata whenua tribes were known as Te Kahui Maunga, Te Kahui Toka, Te Kahui Rere, Te Kahui Tuu, Te Maru Iwi and Te Tini o Tai Tawaro, Te Kahui Ruu Te Kahui Po and Te Kahui Tawake. This Hapu also claims ancestry
from the Aotea Utanganui waka which was captained by Turitearikinui. During the fourteenth century, Turi, with his wife Rongorongo and their people, travelled south along the coast naming many places on their journey including the Waingongoro River. The eponymous tupuna of the Kanihi Umutahi Hapu is the warrior chief Puawhato. The Kanihi Umutahi people have historically resided on both the western and eastern banks of the Waingongoro River. The ancient Pa, Kanihi is located on the eastern bank of the river on a block of land known as Te Rua o Te Moko. The Kanihi Umutahi people have been variously known or referred to as the 'Umutahi', 'Ketetahi' and 'Mawhitiwhiti' people, but choose to identify themselves today as 'Kanihi'.
