He only took with him his slave. As the pair climbed towards the mountain top they became very cold. Soon they became so cold that they could no longer climb the mountain.
Ngatoroirangi and his slave lay in the cold snow nearly freezing to death. The tohunga had an idea. He called out to his sisters in Hawaiki. Their names were Kuiwai and Haungaroa. He asked them to send him fire to warm him so he can continue on his way for his people. And they did.
They sent 2 fire gods, Te Pupu and Te Hoata. The fire gods travelled to Ngatoroirangi in NZ underground. They started their journey in Hawaiki and as they got closer to Ngatoroirangi they surfaced every now and then to see how far they had to go.
They surfaced at a number of places and eventually they arrived at Tongariro. Ngatoroirangi was saved! Unfortunately his slave was not so fortunate. Ngatoroirangi continued his journey and carried his slave to the mountain summit and made the sacrifice to the gods. Ngatoroirangi claimed all of the land he could see for his people.
This is one of the many Maori legends that you may be told during your guided walking tour with pureORAwalks in the Taupo/Tongariro area.
pureORAwalks
Our Group Nature Culture Walks and our camp and lodge overnight accommodation also all include a Maori handcraft activity. Create a cultural memento to take home from your pureORA expereince!
For details on the locations of Pureroa Forest Park, Tongariro National Park and Whirinaki Forest Park, click here.
