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The literal translation of Mauao is "caught by the dawn". In time this mountain assumed its own great prestige and mana even over his once rival Otanewainuku and now stands as the symbol of all tribes of Tauranga Moana.
Mount Maunganui is located atop a sand bar that connects Mauao to the mainland, a geographical formation known as a tombolo. Because of this formation, the residents of Mount Maunganui have both a harbour beach (Pilot Bay) and an ocean beach with great surf, within a short distance.
The Legend. Of Mauao. There were once three mountains that lived in the Hautere forest overlooking Tauranga Moana. One was Ōtanewainuku who still stands there today adorned with the tallest trees and beautiful birds. There was also the female mountain Pūwhenua, a beautiful hill, clothed in the finest ferns, shrubs and trees of the forest of Tāne.
Mauao is the sacred mountain at the entrance to Tauranga Harbour. Its name, meaning ‘caught in the light of the day’, comes from the legend in which Mauao was once a nameless mountain, spurned in love by the beautiful mountain Pūwhenua.
He was called Mauao which means caught by the dawn, or lit up by the first rays of sunrise. In time, he assumed greater mana than his rival Ōtānewainuku. Later he was also given another name, Maunganui, by which is now more often known.
The patupaiarehe gave the name Mauao to this mountain which marks the entrance of Tauranga Moana. This means 'caught by the morning sun'. In time, he has assumed greater mana than his rival Otanewainuku. Today he is known by most as Mount Maunganui, however to the Maori people he is still referred to as Mauao.
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Why is Mauao called Maunganui?
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Story: Tauranga Moana. At the entrance to Tauranga Harbour in Bay of Plenty, the volcanic cone of Mauao (Mt Maunganui) presides over the territory of the Tauranga Moana iwi. Linked through a long history of migration, wars and allegiances, they won a famous victory against British troops in 1864.
