Story: Marutūahu tribes

Mt Moehau

Mt Moehau, at the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, is a sacred mountain of the Marutūahu peoples; many important chiefs, including Tamatekapua of Te Arawa, are buried on its summit. The full name of the mountain is Te Moengahau-o-Tamatekapua (the windy sleeping place of Tamatekapua).

Using this item

GNS Science

Reference: 17584/17

by Lloyd Homer

Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, Marutūahu tribes – Origins, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/744/mt-moehau (accessed 14 June 2026).

Story by Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, published 4 March 2009, updated 22 March 2017.

Comments

Kiri
23 June 2016

Well the Maaori Kuini Te Atairangikaahu (Piki)has been lifted by helicopter over Moehau Maunga. Originally that may be the case but initially it has been reinforced by the more recent visit from the Kingitanga. I will reserve my opinion.

Hei Huarere
13 July 2012

So how does the resting place of Tamatekapua of Te Arawa make Moehau a sacred mountain for Marutuahu of Tainui?