• Legends of the East Cape

The East Cape of New Zealand is a region steeped in culture and history. Graced by sacred mountains and a striking coastline, its many significant landmarks and destinations hold the keys to a treasure trove of stories; past and present. From the North Island landmass that Māui famously fished up out of the sea, to being the first place in the world to see the sunrise, the pūrākau (legends) below are just a sample of the rich cultural history found in the East Coast.

It makes sense to start where it all began, with the bold, clever, and brave demigod Māui, an icon of New Zealand’s creation story. Well-known for many heroic feats, perhaps his biggest achievement was fishing up one of the islands that became Aotearoa.

As the legend goes, Māui had always wanted to go fishing with his brothers, to prove his talents to his doubtful siblings. One night, he hid in the hull of their waka (canoe), equipped with a powerful magic fishhook carved from the bones of his ancestor. After revealing himself from hiding and casting his hook into the sea, it wasn’t long until he landed a catch much larger than any of them had seen before. After a battle to haul it to the surface of the water, they were delighted to find they had in fact caught a huge whai (stingray), which eventually became known as ‘Te Ika-a-Māui’ (the fish of Māui) or the North Island.

The first part of this great fish to emerge from the water was the peaks of Maunga Hikurangi and as the waters receded, their waka Nukutaimemeha became stranded in Takawhiti, the lake near the mountain’s peak where it is said to be in the petrified form today. Māui wished to preserve the great fish with its smooth body but whilst he was away consulting with their elders, the brothers began to chop greedily at this fish, forming the many valleys and mountains we see today.

The whakairo (carving) representing Maui, on top of Maunga Hikurangi

The whakairo (carving) representing Maui, on top of Maunga Hikurangi. Credit: Tourism New Zealand/Matt Crawford.

At 1752m tall, the towering peak of Hikurangi gives the East Cape the honour of being the first place in the world to be illuminated by the rays of the rising sun each day. It’s also given the rohe (region) the title of ‘the land of the first light’ – and the Māori name Tairāwhiti, representing the coast where the sun rises and shines across the water.

However, the rohe hasn’t always enjoyed this much sunlight. In ancient times, the days were short, and the sun was known for racing by too fast before the day’s work had been done. One day, after eating his hāngi in the dark yet again, Māui decided enough was enough, and he hatched a plan to tame the sun. He and his brothers sought to capture Tamanuiterā, the sun, by journeying east and laying out a trap of strong flax ropes.

As day broke and the sun rose, they threw the ropes over the sun, and ensnared it in a noose. It became angry and violent, but after a long struggle and being beaten by Māui’s magic jawbone, Tamanuiterā conceded victory and began to wearily lift into the sky, albeit much more slowly. Since then, the sun has always moved carefully across the horizon, and we have plenty of time to enjoy all the activities that the longer daylight hours bring.

 A representation of Māui taming the sun

A representation of Māui taming the sun. Credit: MythDancer.

It’s not only Māui that has a long-held legacy in the area. Another famous ancestor is the voyager Paikea, who after escaping from his brother Ruatapu, journeyed from Hawaiiki by riding on the back of a tohorā (whale) to the eastern shores of Aotearoa. Paikea eventually made his way to Rangitukia near the East Cape, and there he met Huturangi. From their union came Pouheni, who fathered Tarawhakatū, who had Nanaia, who had Porourangi — the eponymous ancestor of our Ngāti Porou tribe. Paikea and Huturangi in time settled in Whāngārā, and it is said his whale turned into stone and became the offshore island located there. This story inspired the popular book and film, Whale Rider.

Today, the Maunga remains a sacred and revered place for our Ngāti Porou iwi. Nine whakairo (carvings) adorn the area, called Te Takapau a Māui, below the tihi (summit) of the mountain. Each carving represents a key part of the story that shaped the area’s illustrious history.

If these legends have inspired you to learn more, you’ll gain an even deeper insight on a visit to Maunga Hikurangi. Our master storytellers will share stories and wisdom passed down from their tīpuna (ancestors), and you’ll experience the magic of the first light for yourself on a mesmerising Te Urunga sunrise tour.

People standing amongst carved pou on top of Maunga Hikurangi

Stories being told at the summit of Maunga Hikurangi. Credit: Tairāwhiti Gisborne.

 

November 16, 2021

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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
Meri Kirihimete from the Maunga Hikurangi team 🎅🎄 We hope you all have a fantastic festive season with all your loved ones, friends and family!

📷: @nzstuff

#tairawhitigisborne #maungahikurangi #mthikurangi #firstlight #gisborne #sunrise #aotearoa #newzealand #nzmustdo #merikirihimete #nzchristmas
Hikurangi Maunga Track Closed 🚫

Tena tatau, we wish to advise that the Hikurangi track, hut and the Maunga Hikurangi tours are closed until further notice. This closure will be reviewed in early 2022, please check for track status updates on the Maunga Hikurangi website and the Department of Conservation website (search for DOC Hikurangi). 

Ngā manaakitanga, Te Runanganui o Ngāti Porou & Pakihiroa Farms Ltd
The nine carvings that stand on top of Maunga Hikurangi represent the legends of Maui and his whanau.

Maui, the founding ancestor of the Ngati Porou people, tells his story through these pou.

See the intricate and exceptionally detailed carvings with your own eyes to truly experience the telling of the legends for yourself.

📷: @mate_szecsei 

#nzspring #tairawhitigisborne #maungahikurangi #mthikurangi #firstlight #gisborne #sunrise #aotearoa
The views are endless as you hike Maunga Hikurangi. A great tip from Lisa: ‘Bring plenty of layers, a sense of adventure, and coffee for the sunrise. Leave at home the fear of heights if you can.’

A challenging hike that is well worth the effort. You may even get to see some iconic kiwi wildlife as you head up there. 🐑⛰

📷: @lisaexploreku

#nzspring #tairawhitigisborne #maungahikurangi #mthikurangi #firstlight #gisborne #sunrise #aotearoa
Dreaming of visiting Maunga Hikurangi? Put the hike on your summer to-do list!

Find your adventure streak, and tackle the maunga so you can be at the top when the first ray of light makes its way over the horizon. 🌄

📷: @travelphotoskiwi 

#tairawhitigisborne #maungahikurangi #mthikurangi #firstlight #gisborne #sunrise #aotearoa
Nothing beats a golden sunrise! ☀ The views over the mountainous ranges look stunning as the light fills the sky. 

📷: @the_wanderer_photographer 

#tairawhitigisborne #maungahikurangi #mthikurangi #firstlight #gisborne #sunrise #aotearoa
If you’re travelling along the East Coast this season, add Te Waha o Rerekohu – the largest Pohutukawa Tree in New Zealand – to your list of sightseeing activities! Pop into a local café on your way to your next destination 🌳🏖

📷: @purenewzealand 

#nzspring #tairawhitigisborne #maungahikurangi #mthikurangi #firstlight #gisborne #sunrise #aotearoa #tewahaorerekohu #pohutukawa
As winter fades, the misty maunga is changing to welcome the earlier sunrises that spring is bringing! ⛰

Our tour up Mount Hikurangi to watch the sun rise over the surrounding mountains and valley is even more stunning during this time of year. 

Find out more here about our Te Urunga Sunrise Experience on our website. 

#nzspring #tairawhitigisborne #maungahikurangi #mthikurangi #firstlight #gisborne #sunrise #aotearoa
Mountain mist surround Irawhaaki, one of the nine carvings on Mount Hikurangi.

We are looking forward to sharing his story with you once we reopen our Maunga Hikurangi tours at level 1. 

Until then, stay safe in your bubble and enjoy the extra time you have to soak up the sunshine when it makes an appearance.

📷: Eric Hanson for @purenewzealand 

#nzspring #tairawhitigisborne #maungahikurangi #mthikurangi #firstlight #gisborne #sunrise #aotearoa
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