Story: Volcanic Plateau places

Roadside Stories: Island romance in Lake Rotorua

Mokoia Island in Lake Rotorua is the setting for the well-known Māori love story of Hinemoa and Tūtānekai, who kept their relationship a secret because of family disapproval. The pair were united on the island after Hinemoa’s epic swim across the lake, guided by the sound of her lover’s flute music.

Listen to a Roadside Story about Hinemoa, Tūtānekai and Mokoia Island. Roadside Stories is a series of audio guides to places around New Zealand.

Taonga puoro courtesy of Richard Nunns

Using this item

YouTube: Manatu Taonga's channel

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Malcolm McKinnon, 'Volcanic Plateau places - Lake Rotorua', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/interactive/35245/roadside-stories-island-romance-in-lake-rotorua (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Malcolm McKinnon, updated 25 May 2015