Significance to Maori

Waimangu geothermal area  

The enchanted fire

Maori legend describes the origins of ahi tipua, the sacred or enchanted volcanic fire. The explorer Ngatoro-i-rangi climbed Mt Tongariro to gain a good view of the surrounding land and claim its features for his tribe. But at the snow-clad summit a bitter south wind blew and he nearly died. He called on the fire gods Te Pupu and Te Hoata for help and they traveled underwater from Hawaiki with the ahi tipua to save him.

First they surfaced at Whakaari (White Island), later at Rotorua and a number of other places en route, bursting out at Tongariro to warm Ngaroto. At every place they emerged they left the fire, preserved in the boiling springs and mud pools of our thermal areas today.

For Maori, geothermal features continue to hold a spiritual significance. This is evidenced by Tuhourangi's separate names for each of the 189 pools at Whakarewarewa and their individual stories. Their own uses for bathing, cooking, medicine, dyes and ritual are recognised as an integral part of Maori tradition.

For local Maori, every geothermal area with surface activity (such as geysers and hot pools) has traditional cultural and historic significance. They see themselves as kaitiaki (guardians) of the geothermal resource, ensuring their use for future generations as well as themselves. Such uses include bathing, cooking, medicines, dyes and ritual.