Maori culture performance in Rotorua, New Zealand

The Myths and Legends of Rotorua

Rotorua is a place that captivates the imagination. A stronghold for Maori, its pretty lakes, mountains and geothermal wonders are steeped in myths and legends.

From dramatic love stories to tales of warriors, gods and Taniwha (sea monsters), the Rotorua region is home to fascinating legends about times long ago.

Local Maori tribes hand their stories down orally from generation to generation, creating a history that’s passed down through stories and speech. Many legends are connected to the region’s landscapes and natural features, giving them a meaning and a purpose and inspiring young generations to keep their tribal culture alive.

At MoaTrek, we’ve spent over 50 years guiding travellers through New Zealand on our small group tours, sharing not just the beauty of the land, but the stories that bring it to life.

Rotorua is always a favourite for our travellers and learning about Rotorua’s myths and legends before you visit offers a meaningful insight into the traditions and values of the people who have called this region home for generations.

The Legend of Hinemoa and Tutanekai

In the middle of Lake Rotorua lies Mokoia Island, sacred to the Te Arawa Tribe and central to one of the most beautiful Maori love stories ever told – the legend of Hinemoa and her warrior, Tutanekai.

Tutanekai lived on Mokoia Island, where every evening he would play pretty music on his flute. The sound of this music could be heard across Lake Rotorua and it charmed beautiful, noble-born Hinemoa who lived there.

When Tutanekai visited the mainland, he met Hinemoa and they fell in love.

The young warrior had to return to his village on the island, but the lovers agreed that every night, Tutanekai would play his music and Hinemoa would follow the sound and swim across the lake to join him.

That night, beautiful Hinemoa selected six large, dry gourds as floats, strung them together and used them to swim to the island, guided by the strains of her lover’s music.

She safely reached the shore of the island and landed near a hot spring, Waikimihia, where she warmed herself – this same hot spring can be found on the island to this day.

At that moment, Tutanekai ordered his servant down to the pool for some water, who returned with the news that there was a young maiden waiting there. Tutanekai rushed down to the pool, and to his joy discovered Hinemoa.

Like all good love stories, this legend has the usual ending – they lived happily ever after.

Pokarekare Ana – the most famous Maori love song

The story of Hinemoa and Tutanekai is told in one of the most famous Maori songs of all, Pokarekare Ana. The song tells of a girl crossing the waters of lake Rotorua and a warrior professing his love for her.

Listen to Hayley Westenra sing Pokarekara Ana here.

Guide Sophia and the phantom canoe

On 31 May 1886, just over a week before the tragic Mount Tarawera eruption, renowned Maori guide Sophia Hinerangi was leading a group across the lake to visit the famous Pink and White Terraces.

On the trip, Guide Sophia and her party noticed strange patterns in the water, then witnessed a phantom waka (canoe) occupied by 13 mysterious figures. The waka glided silently across the lake, then disappeared into the mist.

Deeply disturbed by the encounter, Guide Sophia consulted a tohunga (spiritual leader) who interpreted the vision as an omen signalling impending disaster or death.

Eleven days later, on 10 June 1886, Mt Tarawera erupted and destroyed several villages, killed 120 people and buried the Pink and White Terraces forever.

During the eruption, Guide Sophia’s house provided shelter for 60 people, all of whom survived the tragedy.

The Legend of Kuirau Park and the Taniwha

Kuirau Park and its boiling lakes and steam vents are part of a fascinating Maori legend about a Taniwha, a mythological creature from Maori folklore that resembles a monster who dwells in water.

Legend has it that in the past, the park’s boiling lake used to be much cooler and had the name of ‘Taokahu’.

Tamahika, the son of Tutea who was the first person to set up a home at the spot, had a beautiful wife called Kuirau. One day, when the beautiful maiden was bathing in the lake, a Taniwha grabbed her and dragged her down to his watery lair below the lake.

The gods saw the struggle between Kuirau and the Taniwha, and became angry at the audacity of the water monster. They used their powers to make the lake boil so that the Taniwha would be destroyed forever.

Unfortunately, this also killed Tamahika’s wife, so from that time, the lake and the park surrounding it has been known as Kuirau in her legacy.

The Discovery of Lake Rotorua

Rotorua’s human history begins in the mid-1300’s, with the arrival of the Te Arawa canoe at Maketu on the nearby Bay of Plenty coastline.

Legend has it that Ihenga, a young Te Arawa warrior, discovered Lake Rotorua when he was travelling inland to explore.

At the time, he was hunting for delicacies for his pregnant wife when one of his dogs ran off, said to be chasing a Kiwi bird in the forest. The dog returned a few hours’ later with a wet coat and regurgitated a meal of half-digested fish.

Ihenga realised that he must be close to water, so he searched the forest till he came across Lake Rotoiti and later, Lake Rotorua.

The first lake found by Ihenga is Lake Rotoiti, named “Te Roto-iti-kite-a-Ihenga”, meaning the small lake seen by Ihenga.

He named the second lake he found “Te Rotoruanui-a-Kahumatamomoe”, which means the great second lake of Kahumatamomoe, his uncle. Over time the name became shortened to Rotoura, meaning “the second lake”.

MoaTrek Travel Tip – How to experience the Legends of Rotorua

Rotorua is a compact place and it’s easy to visit the places from these legends and experience the magic first hand. Here are our tips for visiting the sites of the famous legends of Rotorua:

  • Mokoia Island – Where Hinemoa swam to meet Tutenakai. The island is visible in the middle of Lake Rotorua and is only accessible by boat, there are tours running every day.
  • Lake Tarawera and the Buried Village – One of the most memorable episodes from Rotorua and New Zealand’s history was the Mt Tarawera eruption in 1888. The Pink and White Terraces were destroyed in the eruption, but you can experience a guided tour with a direct descendent of the famous guide Sophia and hear the story of the “phantom canoe” which foretold the eruption.
  • Kuirau Park – Where the Taniwha captured Kuirau. This is one of the most amazing city parks you’ll ever see, within walking distance in the heart of the city, complete with boiling mud pools and steam vents.
  • Te Puia and Pohutu Geyser – Maori songs and famous haka, hear the legends, enjoy a traditional hangi dinner and see the famous Pohutu geyser.
  • Ohinemutu Maori Village – This is a very different experience, Ohinemutu is a local community which is open to the public, not a commercial tourism operation. You can walk through the community, see the meeting house, church and cemetery.

Discover Rotorua with MoaTrek

At MoaTrek, we know that the most memorable journeys are about more than just beautiful places – they’re about the connections you make along the way, with the land, its stories, and its people.

A lot of visitors to New Zealand have heard all about Rotorua and Maori culture long before they arrive, and it’s one of the big reasons for coming to visit.

Our tours spend two nights in Rotorua, with plenty of time to discover the fascinating legends and culture and everything else Rotorua has to offer.

Here’s how travellers experience Rotorua with MoaTrek

  • Two-night stay in lakeview accommodation
  • Private cruise on Lake Rotoiti to visit hot springs
  • Hosted lunch with local guides at Lake Tarawera
  • Free time to enjoy other sites or activities such as Te Puia Maori cultural experience or Ohinemutu village

Find out more about our small group tours of New Zealand here.

Plan Your Dream Trip to New Zealand with MoaTrek

We hope you enjoyed this article, and it helps you get ready for your trip to New Zealand.

At MoaTrek, our small group tours are carefully crafted to show you the best of New Zealand without any hassle, so you can relax and enjoy every moment.

People always tell us they love travelling in a small friendly group, learning all about the people, history and culture and getting off the beaten track for unique experiences you can’t do on bigger coach tours.

Talk to us today to start planning your New Zealand adventure.

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