Ihenga was an early Māori explorer, according to Te Arawa folklore. He is credited with exploring and naming many towns and natural features throughout the North Island. He was the grandson of Tama-te-kapua, who was the captain of the Te Arawa canoe. Tama-te-kapua and his relatives set out for New Zealand from Hawaiki in a waka. They explored the coast of the North Island before settling in Maketu in the western Bay of Plenty. Ihenga then traveled south and settled around the Rotorua lakes.