Story: First peoples in Māori tradition

Motutere (Castle Rock) (2nd of 3)

Motutere (Castle Rock)

This prominent hill rises to 521 metres in the Coromandel Range. The name Motutere (floating island) was given by the chief Ruamano, who was descended from Tamatekapua, chief of the Te Arawa canoe. Māori explorers soon learned to avoid the tangled vegetation of the valleys, and travelled mainly along the ridges. Even so, a reasonable day’s travel might cover only five kilometres before dusk descended and shelter from the patupaiārehe had to be found. Hilltops like Motutere would be avoided at such times.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, William Archer Price Collection (PAColl-3057)
Reference: 1/2-000212; G
Photograph by William Archer Price

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, 'First peoples in Māori tradition - Patupaiarehe, tūrehu and other inhabitants', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/2402/motutere-castle-rock (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, published 8 Feb 2005