Story: First peoples in Māori tradition
This prominent hill rises to 521 metres in the Coromandel Range. The name Motutere (floating island) was given by the chief Ruamano, who was descended from Tamatekapua, chief of the Te Arawa canoe. Māori explorers soon learned to avoid the tangled vegetation of the valleys, and travelled mainly along the ridges. Even so, a reasonable day’s travel might have covered only five kilometres before dusk descended and shelter had to be found from the patupaiārehe. Hilltops like Motutere would be avoided at such times.
About this item
Alexander Turnbull Library, William A. Price Collection (PAColl-3057)
Reference: 1/2-000212; G
Photograph by William Archer Price
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.