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Story: Waikato places

Hatupatu’s Rock

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Hatupatu’s Rock

A family stop at Hatupatu’s Rock, beside the main road from Tokoroa to Taupō. Sometimes Māori leave offerings such as leaves or sweets at the rock, which features in one of the legendary adventures of a boy named Hatupatu. Hatupatu was taken prisoner by the bird woman, Kurangaituku, but managed to escape. As he fled, closely pursued by her, he recited magic words and the rock opened up, then closed around him.

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by Caren Wilton

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How to cite this page

Nancy Swarbrick, Waikato places – Tokoroa, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/27363/hatupatus-rock (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Nancy Swarbrick, published 26 May 2010, updated 11 June 2015.