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Story: First peoples in Māori tradition

Moehau mountain, Coromandel

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Moehau mountain, Coromandel

Several parts of the North Island were renowned haunts of the fairy people, patupaiarehe – also known as tūrehu, karitehe or kōrakorako. One favoured lair was Moehau, a hilltop where they were reputed to inhabit a large fortified in the swirling mists.

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GNS Science

Reference: 17584-17

by Lloyd Homer

Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any 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, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/2400/moehau-mountain-coromandel (accessed 4 June 2026).

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