This carving of Tūtānekai stands in Rotorua's city centre. Tūtānekai was a pōriro (illegitimate child) – his mother, Rangiuru, had an affair with Tūwharetoa, while married to Whakaue. Because of Tūtānekai's status, the family of Hinemoa objected to her love for him, and tried to stop their relationship. Hinemoa refused to heed her family, and swam at night to Mokoia Island in Lake Rotorua to be with him. Ultimately her family accepted the relationship.
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