Story: King Country region
Monuments in Ōtorohanga (top) and Taumarunui (bottom) commemorate the naming of Te Rohe Pōtae (the area of the hat) and the story behind it, in which King Tāwhiao (or, in some sources Wahanui Huatere) is said to have thrown a hat on a map of the North Island. King Tāwhiao was noted as wearing a European hat in 19th century newspapers. Some talk of his white hat, and a photograph of him wearing a white top hat is held by the Alexander Turnbull Library.
About this item
Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Photographs by Janine Faulknor
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