Story: Ngā waewae tapu – Māori exploration

Wairaka rock

Wairaka rock

Wairaka rock is an iconic part of the landscape along the coast near Pukerua Bay, north of Wellington. Wairaka was the wife of the explorer Haunui, and eloped with her lover. Haunui followed, and when he caught up to Wairaka at Pukerua Bay it is believed that he turned her into a rock along with her lover and their entourage.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Photograph by Jock Phillips

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How to cite this page:

Rāwiri Taonui, 'Ngā waewae tapu – Māori exploration - Western North Island', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/14146/wairaka-rock (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Rāwiri Taonui, published 24 Sep 2007