Page 416 - Puhipi

ko Taumatamahoe, ko Okokohuia, ko Okokoromuka nga Maunga

”korero taken from “Te Hiku TV/Kuaka Wharau/Ross Gregory” Te Kaha was known to walk everywhere
over these hills, mountain ranges and forest, it is said that you can walk from Ahipara to Waitangi
over these hills and mountains. These mountain ranges are known as - Te Kaha Whakatipi a
Kaha.

Taumatamahoe is the principal maunga for Pukepoto, there is an area which is full of the mahoe
trees where Toakai seeking food for himself would go. He climbed this mountain and as he sat and
rested for a while he saw the mahoe trees. The people were using the berries as perfume rubbing
them in.

There is another mountain called Maungatitoi which is used like a barometer by the people, if you
see clouds over its peak you know not to go to the sea, stay at home. If it’s clear over the peak
then its fine to go or even do gardening etc.

Te Waiake is a well known Pa in the area, because Te Aupouri used to reside there in the old
days, there was a big battle there that ended with Te Aupouri going to Kaitaia, Kerekere to reside.
Other Pa were Te Rangiahua, Owhangaio, Rangitumaru, Tipaki, Rangihaukaha, Karangatiti,
Puketutu.

Karangatiti, in the old days at certain times if you went to the Pa you could hear the Titi (also
known as Taiko) flying and calling, you knew then that it’s time to catch those birds.

Rangitumaru, this is a large Pa, if you go up there you will see large ditches, so large you can run
your horses in them.

Puketutu, there is a tree there called tupakihi also called tutu. To some the tutu is a person in
battle. It is a form of haka Tutungarahu. The people would do the haka Tutungarahu on this puke,
as the enemy comes in they would haka to frighten them.