Stories of Aotearoa
Tauranga Moana Pūrakau
Developing an understanding of Tauranga Moana and its history through the following pūrakau will enable teachers within our Kāhui Ako to access information to support their programmes of learning, through a Te Ao Māori localised curriculum.
Compiled by Evelyn Stokes
Acknowledgment: Evelyn Stokes, 1980, University of Waikato
Mauao
The Struggle Between Pounamu and Tuhua
Mangatawa
Nga Motu
Te Maero o Hautere
Te Pura the Guardian Taniwha of Wairoa
Poripori
Te Rere i Oturu
Taurikura
Nga Patupaiarehe o Tuhua
Nga Tetekura o Hautere
Takurua
Takitimu Te Waka, Tamatea Te Ariki
Tainui Te Waka, Hoturoa Te Ariki
The Mangroves
The Burning of Te Arawa
Te Kuia
Te Toka a Tirikawa
Te Aroha
The Pet Tui of Kahukino
Te Heke o Rangihouhiri
The Battle of the Kokowai
Te Ika Hui Rua a Hikapa
Te Manuwhakahoro
Nga Peke e Maha
This site provides an interactive story map that will guide you through significant sites in Tauranga. From the maunga to the moana there are great legends and oral histories that still resonate in the hearts of our people today. The name Tauranga means safe anchor and resting place— and moana is translated to mean ocean. The large Tauranga harbour and surrounding coastline is rich in kaimoana (seafood) and has provided a livelihood for inhabitants for over seven centuries.
'Toitu he whenua, whatungarongaro he tangata'
The land is permanent, man disappears
Includes information, interactive maps of the following landmarks and/or events:
Legend of Mauao (Mount Maunganui)
Tuhua (Mayor Island)
Karewa - The Island of the Tuatara
Ngā Kuri a Whārei
Rena Disaster 2011
Te Pakanga o Pukehinahina (Gate Pā)
Pakanga o Te Ranga (Te Ranga)
Rautapu (Confiscations) Acknowledgment: www.arcgis.com, 2021