Tauranga Memories :Tauranga Local History

Topic: Ko Mauao te Maunga: Legend of Mauao by Debbie McCauley

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Mauao is the Mountain. 'Ko Mauao te Maunga: Legend of Mauao' by Debbie McCauley is a bilingual children's picture book in English and Te Reo Māori retelling the traditional Legend of Mauao, and is to be released on 15 June 2018 during Matariki Tauranga Moana. Many thanks to Des Tata and Puhirake Ihaka for their guidance on this project. ISBN: 9780473297060.

BLURB: The history of Mauao, along with the legend, is one of heartbreak and struggle, but also one of endurance, strength and unity. Mauao stands guard at the entrance to Te Awanui, the Tauranga Harbour. At over two million years old, he is a tipuna and sacred taonga, manifesting both the past and the present, as well as giving us hope for the future.

THIS BOOK INCLUDES: • glossary and pronunciation guide • Mauao facts • Mauao timeline • important places • oral traditions • activities for children.

Author: Debbie McCauley

Illustrator: Debbie Tipuna

Translator: nā Tamati Waaka i whakamāori

Designer: Sarah Elworthy

Publisher: Mauao Publishing (Tauranga)

First Published: 15 June 2018 (Matariki)

ISBN: 9780473297060 - RRP: $35.95

ISBN: 9780473435448 (Big Book) - RRP: $49.95

The author and publisher gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Creative New Zealand.

Photo: Lee Switzer

Mauao Facts:

Mauao stands at the entrance to Te Awanui Harbour. It was here that Tamatea Arikinui, captain of the Takitimu waka, landed c. 1350 AD. He climbed to the summit where he proclaimed his people’s claim to the land spread below him.
There are several pa sites on Mauao. Chief Kinonui’s pa is located near the harbour entrance looking across to Matakana Island. People lived here in times of peace, valuing the position for the spring of fresh water and the easy access to seafood in the harbour.
The remains of a defensive pa can still be seen on the summit. Here the battle of Te Kokowai (red ochre) was fought between Ngati Ranginui, who occupied Tauranga Moana at that time, and Ngai Te Rangi, newcomers from the east looking for a place to settle. This changed forever the dynamics of this rohe (district).
On 14 May 2008, New Zealand's Parliament adopted legislation which transferred the ownership of Mauao from the Crown to local iwi, Ngai Te Rangi, Ngati Ranginui and Ngati Pukenga. The land had been alienated following the New Zealand wars of 1864.
In July 2013 Tauranga City Council supported the establishment of a new Mauao Joint Board to manage the historic reserve.

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