Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapiki-maungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu
Another captivating legend can be discovered at a hilltop site near Porangahau which holds the world’s longest place name -Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu.
The name is given by the local Maori people, Ngati Kere, to celebrate their ancestor, Tamatea Pokai Whenua, a famous chief and warrior.
It is said that Tamatea was grieving the loss of his brother in a battle with the Ngati-Hine tribe, known as the Matanui battle. Tamatea, grieving his loss, would sit on the knoll of the hill each morning and play his lament on his Koaua or Maori flute.
The hilltop name means: where Tamatea, with big knees, conqueror of mountains, eater of land, traveller over land and sea, played his kaouau (flute) to his beloved.