Tours
- The Anchorage at Tauranga
- The Battle of Kokowai
- The Ballast Boulders at Ratahi
- Te Waharoa Canal
- The Parasite Worm of Motu-Ngaio
- Pare-Aute and the Rock of Otawhiwhi
- The Story of Mauao
- The Grounding of Tainui Waka and Kuia Rock
- Te Arawa Waka and the Beheading at Panepane
- Matakana and the Stout-Hearted Sentry
The Anchorage at Tauranga
After the long journey this historical event took place and because of this, the whole district was given the name “Tauranga”.
After mourning and grieving for the Old Homeland, they departed Raiatea with brief stop-overs at several Pacific Islands. It was here that Arawa kidnapped the Tohunga Ngatoroirangi. Therefore Arawa made landfall at Eastcape then arrived at Whangapāraoa before Tainui and claimed the surrounding area and the sperm whale. Shortly after this , Tainui arrived during the night and Hoturoa used trickery to claim that he arrived first, so Hoturoa on Tainui waka was acknowledged as the true discoverer of the surrounding area and the prized sperm whale, as payback for the infamous kidnapping of the Tohunga.
The Battle of Kokowai
He rushed to the door and in one move slammed it and locked it, one of his men thrust a flaming torch into his hand, then he quickly set alight the walls of the Whare-raupo which instantly caught alight and in no time at all, the whole building was well ablaze. The Chief and all his people were burned alive, the whole mountain was reduced to a pile of ashes.
Mataatua also made landfall at East Cape then arrived at Whakatāne with their valuable supply of kūmara tubers. They lived in peace and prosperity until their great paa was sacked, which initiated; Te Heke o Rangihouhiri and his occupation of Maketu. Following this, the Slaying of Taurawheke brought war, which caused the Beheading of Tuwhiwhia and the Torture of Tauaiti, These tragic events were the catalyst for the main event called the Battle of Kokowai.
The Ballast Boulders of Ratahi
As the waka canoe sailed further up the harbour, the captain could see they were approaching shallow waters, so they steered to the nearest point and “there” unloaded the ballast boulders brought from Hawaiki, the old homeland, that were positioned to steady the waka during the treacherous 3000km journey across the South Pacific Ocean. Nowhere in the whole of New Zealand is this type of boulder to be found. It is said that ever since that time, these boulders have “grown over the years.”
Tainui searched far and wide for a new home where they could settle down permanently. As they followed the main channel up the Tauranga harbour they observed that the surrounding areas and islands were well occupied and if they decided to stay they would have to "FIGHT" for land to live on; so, they decided to move on.
Waharoa Canal
When the news of this attack reached him, Waharoa vowing revenge uttered; The Sanction of the God of War, must be attained before a Ngāti Haua war party could leave to attack the Arawa tribe.
If his warriors could divert water from one lagoon to the other overnight, then the omens would be favourable. So this canal was dug using kuku shells. The amazing feature is that you will still find the shells buried there, 185 years later.
The Parasite Worm of Motu-Ngaio
Not only a parasite worm but a delicacy, but not fit for Human consumption. It lived on a sandspit in pools of fresh water. The worm helped to restore the health and wellbeing of the people, right “there” at Motungaio, the home of the parasite worm.
The harbour still "swarmed" with schools of fish of every species and "flocks" of native birds that today are almost extinct. Their favourite feeding grounds were below the historic paa at Opureora.
The Story of Mauao
He received his infamous name after he was "caught in the act" at that time he was a nobody, he didn't even have a name, it's like he was ignored. He resolved to drown himself, in the depths of Te Moana nui a Toi. He just wanted the grief to end.
The Grounding of Tainui Waka and Kuia Rock
Captain Hoturoa commanded his men to throw the old woman “Wahinerua,” overboard and her body “thrust” under the hull of the waka canoe. The men heaved against the wind and waves, paddling “furiously.” The waka rolled over the body of the old woman and slipped off the sandbar into deeper water. At the base of the nearby mountain, “there,” you will see a pinnacle of rock. This is the body of the old woman, “the kuia,” Wahinerua, whose body was used to make the Tainui waka buoyant.
Just as Maui's name was given to the islands he discovered, so it was with Hoturoa & his crew aboard Tainui.
At Whangaparaoa (Bay of the Sperm Whale), Tainui fought with Arawa over the sperm whale.
At Tikapa Moana (Mournful Sea) / Hauraki Gulf, Tainui crew wept over the other waka left behind.
At Otahuhu (Place of the Ridgepole). Tainui was dragged one kilometre across Isthmus to Manukau.
At Rangitoto (Sky Blood) Hoturoa bloodied and bruised Tama te Kapua.
Hoturoa was a leader in Hawaiki then he became high priest and commander of the waka.
Pare-Aute and the Rock of Otawhiwhi
When Princess Pare-Aute found out what had happened to her brother, she was “heartbroken.” When evening approached, she wrapped her brothers severed arm into a flax mat and secured it, then slipped quietly, without being seen, into the moon-lit night and began her long 40km journey home to Matakana. Although grief stricken, she pressed on, following the old walking track through the forest and over the ranges, then traversed the ravines of the gorge all the next day until the following morning when she reached the shores at the northern entrance to Tauranga moana, where she swam across the dangerous channel to Matakana.
At this time, Romainohorangi was getting old & his chieftainship was inherited by his son Rangihouhiri, the eponymous ancestor of Ngāi te Rangi. It is said that Rangihouhiri was a tall savage, tattooed warrior, extremely powerful & athletic as his youngest follower. His dogskin cloak of dark hair with white boarders "an envied possession"... But this story is about one of his many descendants, who in her lifetime was recognised as a Princess because of her bloodiness from Rangihouhiri.
Te Arawa Waka and the Beheading at Panepane
Hatu-patu was “on” Raumati, as he closed in on him, his Patu-paraoa sword, made of sperm whale bone, struck “deep” into the flesh of Raumati, and Raumati was felled, Hatu-patu dragged the lifeless body to the flat rocks in the sand-dunes, and “there: with one swipe of his patu sword, cut off the head of Raumati, and carried it back to Rotorua, to his Father, as Utu-“Revenge” for the burning of the Arawa waka-canoe.
There was great consternation over the destruction of the sacred waka. Utu was sought, but no one has the courage to do anything about it. That was until a series of events took place.
- Hatupatu was slain by his older brothers.
- Their father sends Tamumu ki te Rangi to resurrect his son from the grave.
- Hatupatu is captured & enslaved by Kurarangaituku.
- He opens the rock at Atiamuri.
- He slays Kurangaituku at Whakarewarewa.
- He beats up his older brothers with his taiaha at Makoia Island.
- Their father tells his sons; instead of fighting among yourselves, do something about the insult done by Raumati and only that chief's "head" will be satisfactory payment.
Matakana Point with exposed tree roots
It was on “this” headland, that the sentry stood guard tirelessly, watching and waiting earnestly, for some enemy who dared to challenge him, by trespassing his boundary, it was at this headland that the whole island received the name “Matakana.”
When Hori Tupaea was invited to become the first Māori King, he declined the offer. He did much to try & protect his people who today, live on Matakana.
Add-Ons
We have a range of add-ons to help enhance your Matakana Island experience. Just select which add-ons you’d like in the booking form.
Mercedes and Driver
Take you anywhere 7x seater
Cadillac and Driver
Take you anywhere 7x seater
Boat and Skipper
Explore the harbour
Helicopter Flights
Airport to Matakana return
4WD X-Trail and Driver
Off road anywhere 5x seater
