Te Awanuiārangi Black. 'Tauranga Moana tribes', Te Ara
Mount Maunganui
Mauao - A tale of lost love
The sacred mountain Mauao (Mt Maunganui)
stands at the eastern entrance to Tauranga Harbour, and according to tradition
was once a nameless mountain overshadowed by loftier peaks in the Hautere
forest.
Mauao’s love for the beautiful mountain Pūwhenua was spurned in favour
of Ōtānewainuku’s attentions.
In anguish he cried out to the fairy-like
creatures of the forest to drag him into the ocean, so that his pain might be
forever ended.
As they neared the water’s edge, the first rays of dawn sent the
fairies fleeing to the forest for safety, because for these near-immortal
creatures the shards of light meant certain death.
Transfixed by the morning
light, the mountain became a landmark of significance. To mark this new status
he was given the name Mauao, as he had been caught (mau) in the light of day
(ao).
