A hill near the coastal settlement of Pōrangahau is believed to have the longest place name in the world. The name is sung at the start of this waiata (song) and is followed by an account – in Māori – of the story behind it about the explorer Tamatea, who climbed the hill and played his flute to his beloved.
Waiata performed by Tamatea Ariki Nui. Sound file from Radio Kahungunu. This sound file may not be reused without permission.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Photograph by Emily Tutaki
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