Mount Maunganui is a popular resort town near Tauranga, New Zealand. It is known for its great weather, beaches and surfing and is often compared to Australia's Gold Coast.
Mount Maunganui is a dormant volcano rising 232 metres at the far end of the peninsula. It is a popular area for outdoor activities. The Māori name for Mount Maunganui is Mauao, meaning "caught by the morning sun." It is a sacred site for three local Māori tribes known as the "Iwi."
There is a Māori legend about the volcano and how it came to be situated where it is today and how it got its name. It is a story about a love triangle, full of heartache. Three mountains surrounded Tauranga - Puwhena, Otanewainuku, and the nameless one. Puwhena was female and the other two were male. The nameless one was in love with Puwhena, but her heart belonged to Otanewainuku. The nameless one decided to drown himself when his love would not be reciprocated by Puwhena.
The nameless one decided to appeal to the Patupaiarehe, the people who had magical powers, for help. He asked them to drag him to the ocean so that he could drown himself there. They obliged and during the night dragged him across the peninsula, creating the valley where the Waimupu River flows. Waimupu means "weeping waters" in Māori. However, this journey took longer than expected and he was caught a sunrise on the edge of the peninsula and was frozen where he stood. The Patupaiarehe decided to give the nameless one a name, Mauao, which means "caught by the morning sun."
One of the best short walks in New Zealand is the Base Track around Mount Maunganui. This is a fairly easy trek around the side of the volcano. On the west side is a bronze statue of the Māori god of the sea, Tangaroa.
For a longer trek and great views, you can hike up the volcano to the summit. This takes about an hour and a half, round trip. There are lots of rest stops which allow for great photo ops of the peninsula and townsite.
Those who are interested in surfing or sunbathing can go to the Main Beach. This beach is quite long and has a man-made reef, which allows for great surfing. Or you can walk along the boardwalk, which runs along the the beach.
So, if you are visiting the Bay of Plenty, or Tauranga, be sure to go to Mount Maunganui. It is a great option for a day trip, and you won't be disappointed!
~Angie
Mount Maunganui is a dormant volcano rising 232 metres at the far end of the peninsula. It is a popular area for outdoor activities. The Māori name for Mount Maunganui is Mauao, meaning "caught by the morning sun." It is a sacred site for three local Māori tribes known as the "Iwi."
There is a Māori legend about the volcano and how it came to be situated where it is today and how it got its name. It is a story about a love triangle, full of heartache. Three mountains surrounded Tauranga - Puwhena, Otanewainuku, and the nameless one. Puwhena was female and the other two were male. The nameless one was in love with Puwhena, but her heart belonged to Otanewainuku. The nameless one decided to drown himself when his love would not be reciprocated by Puwhena.
The nameless one decided to appeal to the Patupaiarehe, the people who had magical powers, for help. He asked them to drag him to the ocean so that he could drown himself there. They obliged and during the night dragged him across the peninsula, creating the valley where the Waimupu River flows. Waimupu means "weeping waters" in Māori. However, this journey took longer than expected and he was caught a sunrise on the edge of the peninsula and was frozen where he stood. The Patupaiarehe decided to give the nameless one a name, Mauao, which means "caught by the morning sun."
One of the best short walks in New Zealand is the Base Track around Mount Maunganui. This is a fairly easy trek around the side of the volcano. On the west side is a bronze statue of the Māori god of the sea, Tangaroa.
For a longer trek and great views, you can hike up the volcano to the summit. This takes about an hour and a half, round trip. There are lots of rest stops which allow for great photo ops of the peninsula and townsite.
Those who are interested in surfing or sunbathing can go to the Main Beach. This beach is quite long and has a man-made reef, which allows for great surfing. Or you can walk along the boardwalk, which runs along the the beach.
So, if you are visiting the Bay of Plenty, or Tauranga, be sure to go to Mount Maunganui. It is a great option for a day trip, and you won't be disappointed!
~Angie
