Tikitere has always been the domain of the Ngati Rangiteaorere hapu (sub tribe) of Te Arawa. Rangiteaorere was a clever and innovative warrior of much acclaim who was - as reward for his brave war endeavours - presented in marriage with a beautiful and high ranking young woman named Huritini.
It seemed they were to live happily ever after, and for some time they did. However, after a while Rangiteaorere began to neglect is young bride.
Huritini was broken hearted by her husband's careless conduct and furthermore insulted by it. She was determined to erase her humiliation and in the ultimate fashion did so with her life. She ended her pain and misery by throwing herself into a boiling mud pool which still today bears her name. (Huritini means ever circuling).
When the tragedy reached the ears of her people they cried out in anguish at the loss "Taku tiki i tere" (our darling daughter has floated away). "Tiki" is the shortened version of potiki (child or youngest child) and "tere" means floated. And so it is that Tikitere gained his name. How the Boiling Mud Pools came to Tikitere
Between Tikitere and Lake Okataina (which is a little further toward the east) lies the Whakapoungakau range. There were no boiling mud pools in the valley of Tikitere at that time and it was a place of peace and beauty visited often by Tanewhakaraka and his sisters, Kuiwai and Haungaroa who had come from Hawaiki (the land from where all Maori people originate).
After their long travels the three would rest in the sheltered and sunlit valley where they would listen to the song of the native birds and enjoy the protective cloak of surrounding forests. While his sisters prepared the campsite for their overnight stays, Tanewhakaraka would create bird spears and snares for the kereru (native pigeon).
On this one occasion, and once his hunting preparation was complete, Tanewhakaraka went off into the ranges to collect food for himself and his sisters. However, at nightfall he still hadn't returned. And so it was day after day, his sisters kept vigil in vain for him. Eventually they realised he was lost to them forever and returned without him to Hawaiki. They named the place where their brother was lost, The Hills of Longing, the place where they had fixed their hearts. In the valley they left a token of their love. They prayed to Ruaumoko - the god of volcanic fire, who in turn heated the pools and tumbling cascades, so if Tanewhakaraka should ever return he would be able to bathe his tired body.
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