I have always loved myths and legends. Once on a family holiday to Rhodes I spent the entire fortnight reading books on Greek mythology. Imagine my disappointment when I found that not even a toenail of the Colossus in existence.
Fast forward a decade to my time in New Zealand, pride of the old Māori legends is evident everywhere. Here are some of the best places to experience the legends for yourself.
1. Rotorua
Kuirau Park in the centre of Rotorua is named after a beautiful young woman who was kidnapped by a "taniwha" (demon) who dragger her under the water to his lair. The gods were angered by his audacity and made the water boil to kill the monster, and they're still bubbling to this day. Read more here
2. Napier
Pania of the reef is commemorated by a beautiful bronze statue on the middle of tthe promenade. Pania was from the sea people but left the waves to marry the Māori cheif on land. Whilst her husband was away at war Pania heard the cries of her family from the sea at dawn and dusk every day. Unable to resist the siren calls any longer, she swam out to meet them but when she tried to return to the land the sea god was angry about her divided loyalty and turned her into a rocky reef. Read more here
3. Mount Maunganui
Mauao the lone mountain at the mouth of Tauranga harbour is an icon of Mount Maunganui, however according to the legend he wasn't always there. Once the mountain was nameless and lived in the Hautere forest. He loved the beautiful female mountain next to him but she loved another. Eventually it was too much for the nameless mountain who decided to throw himself in the Pacific Ocean. With help from the fairy-like creatures of the night, the patupaiarehe, the mountain was dragged by ropes, gorging out rivers and valleys with his tears. The nameless mountain was just inches away from the ocean when the sun rose and the patupaiarehe fled, leaving the mountain stranded at the edge of the ocean forever. He was given the name Mauao which means "caught by the sun." Read more here
4. Whakatāne
Brave Wairaka has her legacy in not just the name of the town, but in a promenent statue out on Turuturu rock, at the mouth of the river. After a long, perilous sea journey, the men of Wairaka's tribe went ashore to see if this was a good place to settle, leaving the women alone in the canoes. The currents changed and they started to drift out to sea. All seemed lost for the women, who were forbidden to touch the paddles, until the cheif's daughter, Wairaka, seized the paddles and cried out "I will act the part of a man" as she brought them safely back to shore. Read more here
5. Rotorua (again)
Mokoia Island in the middle of lake Rotorua is the site of one of the most romantic legends. Hinemoa and Tutanekai were from opposite tribes and forbidden to marry. Tutanekai devised a plot for Hinemoa to paddle a canoe from the mainland to him on the island guided by the sound of his flute playing. Hinemoa's father suspected she was going to run away and ordered the villagers to drag the canoes from the water at night. Hinemoa heard the musical flute every night and wept because she couldn't be with her love. Eventually Hinemoa worked up the bravery to swim. It was a struggle through the strong and cold waters but she eventually made it to her lover. It's like Romeo and Juliet with a happy ending. Read more here
Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg and there's plenty more legendary places in New Zealand just waiting for a visit.
