How Mt. Pirongia Got It's Name

A long time ago, there was a man called Rakataura he was known as a  thief and having a eye for the ladies. As they were traveling south he started looking at Hoturoa’s daughter Kahukeke things started going south. The first leg of migration to New Zealand was to Rarotonga where they visited Kinfolk Rarotonga. It was here that Rakataura's behaviour became so intolerable that Hoturoa and the rest conspired to leave him behind.
Raka was left behind at rarotonga. Being cast off from the tribe would have been soul destroying and it is little wonder Rakataura was so mortified and desperate. But being a tohunga Rakataura summoned up a giant sea Taniwha which carried him to Aotearoa on its back.
With the speed and agility of the taniwha Rakataura arrived well before the Tainui tribe. Rakataura travelled around New Zealand tricking the Tainui tribe in many bays. In a certain bay called Kawhia, Hoturoa the Tribe leader offered his daughter Kahukeke as a sign of peace. Rakataura accepted the offer and they soon got married then settled down in Kawhia.
Kahukeke and Rakataura’s children were growing when they told them they were going on a journey inland. After traveling a few days Rakataura made fun of the body odour coming from kahukeke.
Because of the smell of my body let this mountain from here on be called “Pirongia-te-aroaro-o-Kahu!” shouted Kahu, and that's how our pirongia. Montaian was made.

​By Joseph

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