• Mount Hikurangi - Journey to the First Light

    ExperiencesPlan your trip

Welcome to our sacred mountain

Maunga
Hikurangi

Ko Hikurangi Te Maunga, Ko Waiapu Te Awa, Ko Ngati Porou Te Iwi Hikurangi the mountain, Waiapu the river, Ngati Porou the people

A place of great spiritual and cultural significance to the local people of Ngati Porou, Maunga Hikurangi is a gateway to great Maori history and the legendary feats of Maui and his whanau (family).

Stand before nine magnificent whakairo (carvings) – each larger than life, each holding a story you can see, hear and touch on top of a sacred maunga (mountain) – the highest non-volcanic peak in the North Island.

Welcome to our sacred place in the sun.

EXPERIENCE MAORI CULTURE

DISCOVER OUR HISTORY

Te Urunga (The Sunrise Experience)

A world-first experience, the Te Urunga-Tu Sunrise Experience is a unique and unforgettable experience to greet the dawn in the land of the first light. Start your journey at the base of Maunga Hikurangi in Ruatoria, under a dark, star-lit night as you ascend by 4WD to the first point of mainland New Zealand to see the sunrise each day. Surrounded by sacred cultural treasures of the Maori and Ngati Porou people, open your eyes and hearts to the wonders of Maunga Hikurangi.

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Haramai (The Day Experience)

The Haramai Day Experience begins with a stunning 4WD journey from the base of Maunga Hikurangi to the first point of mainland New Zealand to see the sun rise each day. See the changing landscape unfold before your eyes as you journey to the treasured peaks of this sacred mountain. Standing before nine traditional carvings that guard the stories of this land and of the Ngati Porou people, this is a meaningful and memorable experience you won’t ever forget.

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Plan your trip

Soaring above the sun-kissed valleys of the Tairawhiti region, Maunga Hikurangi is located in the rural community of Ruatoria.

It’s a scenic two-hour drive up the coast from Gisborne or a four-hour road trip from Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty to the base of Maunga Hikurangi. Self-drive visitors often choose to arrive the day before their Maunga Hikurangi experience to discover the hidden gems of this beautiful region.

Let us share with you the best tips on how to make the most of your time here.

 

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  • My husband and I have just done the early morning sunrise tour. It was a very special experience for us and we would highly recommend it to everyone.

    WendyG84
    Whakatane, New Zealand

    Read more reviews here.

  • He gave us an informative and interesting talk about the carvings, and the history of Ngati Porou - both distant and recent. Everyone in the group was very impressed.

    8Hazel8
    Auckland, New Zealand

    Read more reviews here.

  • At the site of the phenomenal carvings, Monty shared the stories of Ngati Porou - just fascinating. The picnic was delicious and elegantly presented. A most excellent adventure for visitors from far and near.

    Elisabeth E
    Auckland, New Zealand

    Read more reviews here.

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Meet Irawhaaki - Maui’s father. In other versions of the Maui stories he was also known as Makeatutara. It was Irawhaaki’s mistake in performing karakia upon Maui that was to render him mortal and lead to his ultimate demise at the hands of Hinenui-te-po, the goddess of the spiritual realm. Book your tour now to learn about the story of all nine carvings https://maungahikurangi.com/experiences/

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Meet Irawhaaki - Maui’s father. In other versions of the Maui stories he was also known as Makeatutara. It was Irawhaaki’s mistake in performing karakia upon Maui that was to render him mortal and lead to his ultimate demise at the hands of Hinenui-te-po, the goddess of the spiritual realm. Book your tour now to learn about the story of all nine carvings https://maungahikurangi.com/experiences/

Want to win 1 of 5 Mānuka Honey packs? 🍯

Subscribe to the Nāti Growth newsletter at www.natigrowth.com before November 30 for your chance to sweeten your day! Don’t miss out—existing subscribers are automatically entered!

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Want to win 1 of 5 Mānuka Honey packs? 🍯 Subscribe to the Nāti Growth newsletter at www.natigrowth.com before November 30 for your chance to sweeten your day! Don’t miss out—existing subscribers are automatically entered!

What people say about our Sunrise Tour...

"An experience never to be forgotten or surpassed... To say that it as a special moment would be an understatement."🌄

Book your Sunrise Experience now! https://maungahikurangi.com/experiences/

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What people say about our Sunrise Tour... "An experience never to be forgotten or surpassed... To say that it as a special moment would be an understatement."🌄 Book your Sunrise Experience now! https://maungahikurangi.com/experiences/

Aside from the beautiful views and landscape, our tours also offer a taste of local cuisine and produce. Lunch for our Haramai Day tours include kumara salad, kangawaru (a sweetbread made from kumara, corn grit and flour), fruit and juice is a welcome bite after pushing to the top of our maunga! Book your tour today 🥪🌱https://maungahikurangi.com/experiences/

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Aside from the beautiful views and landscape, our tours also offer a taste of local cuisine and produce. Lunch for our Haramai Day tours include kumara salad, kangawaru (a sweetbread made from kumara, corn grit and flour), fruit and juice is a welcome bite after pushing to the top of our maunga! Book your tour today 🥪🌱https://maungahikurangi.com/experiences/

🌟 Meet the Grandmother of Maui, ‘Te Kauwae o Murirangawhenua`, whose magical jawbone features in many stories—from slowing the sun to fishing up the North Island (Te Ika a Maui). Don’t miss the chance to experience this rich heritage! Book your tour today to connect with our stories and breathtaking landscapes at www.maungahikurangi.com. 🌊🛶

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🌟 Meet the Grandmother of Maui, ‘Te Kauwae o Murirangawhenua', whose magical jawbone features in many stories—from slowing the sun to fishing up the North Island (Te Ika a Maui). Don’t miss the chance to experience this rich heritage! Book your tour today to connect with our stories and breathtaking landscapes at www.maungahikurangi.com. 🌊🛶

Introducing `Te Waka Hourua` – the double-hulled canoe, also known as `Te Waha o Ruaumoko`, which signifies the Eastern point of the compass. This canoe serves as the gateway to our site and represents the migration of many waka to Te Tairawhiti.

Book your tour now to learn more!

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Introducing 'Te Waka Hourua' – the double-hulled canoe, also known as 'Te Waha o Ruaumoko', which signifies the Eastern point of the compass. This canoe serves as the gateway to our site and represents the migration of many waka to Te Tairawhiti. Book your tour now to learn more!

Be one with Maui, his people, land sea & sky. Maui Tikitiki-a-Taranga the person who slowed down the sun, the person who brought us fire, the person who fished up Aotearoa from the sea, come hear his story, come see his lands, meet this people and feel his presence through his descendants, Ngati Porou.

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Be one with Maui, his people, land sea & sky. Maui Tikitiki-a-Taranga the person who slowed down the sun, the person who brought us fire, the person who fished up Aotearoa from the sea, come hear his story, come see his lands, meet this people and feel his presence through his descendants, Ngati Porou.

Road tripping the East Cape? Stop over on State Highway 35 for an awe-inspiring experience off the beaten track that you’ll never forget: Maunga Hikurangi

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Road tripping the East Cape? Stop over on State Highway 35 for an awe-inspiring experience off the beaten track that you’ll never forget: Maunga Hikurangi

Each of our nine breath-taking carvings has a unique story to tell, and each of those stories is an important piece in the overarching legend of Maui, a founding member of the Ngati Porou tribe. Here is Hine-rau-ma-ukuuku, a wife of Maui. Hinerau has the significant responsibility of welcoming all manuhiri (visitors) to our sacred maunga. Her warmth radiates even on a misty morning, as you climb to the top to greet the sun ☀

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Each of our nine breath-taking carvings has a unique story to tell, and each of those stories is an important piece in the overarching legend of Maui, a founding member of the Ngati Porou tribe. Here is Hine-rau-ma-ukuuku, a wife of Maui. Hinerau has the significant responsibility of welcoming all manuhiri (visitors) to our sacred maunga. Her warmth radiates even on a misty morning, as you climb to the top to greet the sun ☀

Happy New Year! While each and every sunrise is a magical moment we never get tired of, there’s something extra special about the first sunrise of the year, a sign of a prosperous and fulfilling year ahead 👐☀🌄

#tairawhitigisborne #maungahikurangi #mthikurangi #firstlight #gisborne #sunrise #aotearoa #newzealand #nzmustdo #happynewyear

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Happy New Year! While each and every sunrise is a magical moment we never get tired of, there’s something extra special about the first sunrise of the year, a sign of a prosperous and fulfilling year ahead 👐☀🌄 #tairawhitigisborne #maungahikurangi #mthikurangi #firstlight #gisborne #sunrise #aotearoa #newzealand #nzmustdo #happynewyear
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