Story: Papatūānuku – the land

Pirongia mountain

Pirongia mountain

Pirongia mountain is shown in this 1861 watercolour by John Kinder. Mountains have a vital role in the tūrangawaewae (standing place) of different tribes. At the selection of the first Māori king, Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, flax ropes were attached to a flagstaff to represent the mountains of the assembled tribes from around New Zealand. For the Waikato tribes, the flax ropes represented Pirongia and Taupiri mountains.

Using this item

Auckland Art Gallery – Toi o Tāmaki
Watercolour by John Kinder

Permission of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, 'Papatūānuku – the land - Tūrangawaewae – a place to stand', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/11443/pirongia-mountain (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, published 24 Sep 2007