The Legend of Mount Tarawera

Mount Tarawera is the subject of much history. Its eruption in 1886 and the devastation it caused can be linked to much of the history told by the old people. Mount Tarawera, and the lake that surrounds are places of mystery that trace back to the coming of the Arawa canoe.

Tamahoi was a man-eating ogre who lived on the mountain. As the thermal regions became more occupied he would often snatch travellers and devour them. When news of these ambushes reached Ngatoroirangi the Tohunga, (sacred men possessing powerfully spiritual gifts) he was angered. Ngatoroirangi was far-travelled and had conquered the great heights of Mount Tongariro and summoned the fire that created thermal activity in the Rotorua region.

He resolved to make a special expedition to Tarawera. Tamahoi had no resistance to the powers of Ngatoroirangi who climbed the mountain and stamped his foot until a huge chasm was formed. Into the pit he threw the cannibal demon, covering him with the solid rock of the mountain. Tamahoi lay sleeping for many centuries, until he was summoned by the prayers of a later tohunga, Tuhoto. He was aged and saddened by the deteriorating standards of his people at Te Wairoa village who were sinking more and more under the influence of the pleasure loving European. As the days passed, he withdrew further into himself and away from the communal life of the pa (village). He prayed to the gods for an answer to the declining standards and was answered when the long since buried demon, Tamahoi burst through his bonds and scattered molten rock and boiling mud over Te Wairoa. About seven European and more than 100 Maori were killed. Search parties began the task of uncovering survivors.

Day after day passed, and all the while Tuhoto lay quiet in his dark tomb of a house. Most thought Tuhoto would have paid for his curse with his life in the destruction. However, when rescuers uncovered his house - he was alive. Maori believe Tamahoi protected the old tohunga and see it as proof Tuhoto was responsible. Tuhoto was taken into Rotorua to be cared for by the European. He may well have lived beyond his 100 years but in all his wisdom the European insisted upon cutting the old man's hair and with each cut more of his life ebbed away until his frail old body succumbed and the tohunga of Te Wairoa village died.

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