Ko Ngāti Ruawai tētahi o ngā hapū o Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi. Ko Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi tonu he iwi e noho ana kei ngā tahataha o te awa o Whanganui, kei te hauāuru o Te Ika-a-Māui, Aotearoa. Ko Aotea te waka; ko Ruapehu te maunga; ko Whanganui te awa; ko Turi te tangata.