Harry.Mataaho

Legend Of Mataaho

“Have you ever wondered why Auckland is surrounded by volcanoes? Me too. But there is a story/legend how it got surrounded by volcanoes. It went like this…

Once upon a time a guy named Mataaho lived in a crater, on the summit of Maungawhau. He lived with his wife who gave him warmth (by making little embers around him), shelter and prevented him from hunger.

One day he left the whole night, he didn’t return.
Mataaho’s wife was worried, not only that but she was furious! She was so cross that she packed up and left the crater of Maungawhau. At last he returned home he was shocked. He was all alone and unaided. “Oh no, what have I done!” He had no food, shelter, supplies and no lit up fires to keep him warm. Mahuika heard Mataaho’s problem and she wanted to facilitate him. She zapped, lit up fiery embers surrounding him to keep warm. The fire became volcanoes(somehow).

That’s what I heard but who knows…