Mauao, commonly known as Mount Maunganui, is an extinct
volcanic cone at the end of a peninsula and the suburb of Mount Maunganui, by
the eastern entrance to the Tauranga Harbour in New Zealand. It is considered
very important and tapu (sacred) by the local Māori iwi, featuring extensively
in local mythology.
It is also of significant historical value. The highest
point is 232 metres above sea level.
In recent years there have been several fires on the
mountain, in turn triggering a number of replanting efforts. Since Mount
Maunganui has been open to the general public it has become a popular location
for many activities including scenic walks, jogging and even hang gliding.
The Legend of Mauao
In the ancient times of the Maori people there lived a
nameless hill, he sat alone in a discarded inland area and was slave to
Otanewainuku, the most prestigious mountain of Tauranga Moana. Nearby there
lived a captivating hill whose name was Puwhenua, she was adorned with the
beauty of Tanemahuta (God of the Forest). The nameless one desired the
affection of Puwhenua, but alas her heart had already been won by Otanewainuku.
This resulted in disparity which led the nameless one to decide to take his
life by drowning in Te Moananui-a-Kiwa (Pacific Ocean). So he called upon his
companions the Patupaiarehe (fairy people) who dwelt in the dark recesses of
the forest. The Patupaiarehe were people of the night and possess magical
powers, the nameless one knew that with their help his ambition to end his life
will be accomplished. When night fell, they laced the nameless one with dozens
of ropes and began to heave and pull. The land rumbled as the Patupaiarehe
forced the nameless one from his position. A valley was gouged as they heaved
him along, which is where you will now find that the Waimapu river flows. They
continued along the Tauranga Moana channels where Hairini, Maungatapu and
Matapihi reside. Upon their arrival near the great ocean of Kiwa, daybreak was
fast approaching. Unfortunately for the nameless one this was proving to be
quite a complex and problematic task. The rays of Tama nui te ra (Sun) began to
light up the summit of the nameless hill and before they knew it, the
Patupaiarehe were exposed to the rays of light, so they retreated back to the
depths of the forests.
The Patupaiarehe decided to give the name Mauao to this
mountain which now marks the entrance into the Tauranga harbour. The
translation of Mauao can literally be termed as 'caught by the dawn'. In time
this mountain has assumed its own great prestige and mana even over his once
rival Otanewainuku and now stands as the symbol of all tribes of Tauranga
Moana.
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