Five Ngati Waewae women warriors do the wero (maori challenge) for the first time in South Island history at the opening of Tuhuru, the tribes ancestral house, in November. The wero has caused factions within Ngai Tahu, as the wero is typically the domain of men. Wahine warriors: Brooke Parker, 14, Zoe Wallace, 30, Chantal Tumahai, 25, Maia Campbell,15, Teamo Tamainu, 16.

With blackened lips and fierce warrior stares, five young Ngati Waewae women stormed to the front of the wero for the first time.

Steeped in centuries of Maori custom, the wero, a challenge where visitors to a marae are asked if they come in peace or war, is the traditional domain of men.

But the West Coast is a region of Maori warrior women. The blood of wahine (woman) warrior Papakura, who led war parties, pulses through the veins of Ngati Waewae women giving them "the right" to do the wero, said Ngati Waewae runanga chairman Francois Tumahai.

Supplied From back: Brooke Parker, 14, Zoe Wallace, 30, Chantal Tumahai, 25, Maia Campbell, 15, and Teamo Tamainu, 16, do the wero (Maori challenge) at the Tuhuru opening in November last year.

Ngati Waewae is a hapu (sub-tribe) of Ngai Tahu based at Arahura, near Hokitika, on the West Coast.

At the opening of Tuhuru, a new Ngati Waewae ancestral house, in November, Teamo Tamainu, 16, Chantal Tumahai, 25, Zoe Wallace, 30, Maia Campbell, 15 and Brooke Parker, 14, strode out to perform the wero.

They expected it to become violent as other iwi entered through the gates, shocked at seeing women performing.

"If the other iwi had challenged us, the girls, it would have got violent, physical. They had to be prepared," said Francois Tumahai.

The women trained in secret, preparing for an adverse reaction, with taiaha (spear) pointed at the imagined throats of visitors and pounamu mere ready to block any strike at them.

A karakia at the beginning of the day placed the women under the god of war, making them "untouchable", said Tamainu.

"If they do touch you we have to draw blood. Our whanau knew not to touch us."

Other iwi did not challenge the women but "some of the older men looked away," Chantal Tumahai said.

Wahine kaumatua (women elders) had tears of pride running down their faces, she said.

"I did the wero so I could represent myself, family and ancestors who aren't here anymore so I had to carry their name and show them off."

"The kaumatua were a bit anxious but they were supportive," Francois Tumahai said. "They wanted to see it first and make sure the girls were protected and once they saw that the girls were scarier than the guys they were fine."

The wero was not a hit with all. Factions have developed within Ngai Tahu for and against.

The women will not be performing at the Te Matatini Kapa Haka Festival in Christchurch in March.

"This whole wero caused a real big stir in Ngai Tahu around Te Matatini because there was a place for it. But there were some factions that don't believe it should be done," Francois Tumahai said.