The Māori Legend of Taranaki and Ruapehu.

A tale is told by the Māori people, native to Aotearoa (New Zealand), of a great battle which took place between two warrior gods, Mount Taranaki and Mount Tongariro, over the love of a beautiful maiden.

In the ancient mists of time, the volcanoes that dominate the centre of the north island and sit around the bowl of Lake Taupo (which itself is the crater left by earths most recent super-eruption) were gods of immense power and fury. However, Taranaki was a gentler soul, married to the beautiful Mount Ruapehu. One day while he was out hunting, Ruapehu was wooed and won over by Tongariro. When Taranaki returned from his days hunt, he discovered the guilty couple, and a contest of Olympic proportions began between the two volcanic Titans. The earth shook, lava shot high into the heavens and fire engulfed the landscape as Taranaki and Tongariro battled for Ruapehu’s affection.

When the dust settled Tongariro stood victorious by Ruapehu’s side and Taranaki was left defeated and dragged himself 120km westwards to the black sand coast carving out the Wanganui River as he went.

Now the Lonely Mountain sits isolated on the shores of the Tasman sea forever looking east towards his rival and his lost love. To this day visitors to Tongariro National Park can hike to the Rua Taranaki ‘the Pit of Taranaki’ to observe the spot where the great mountain god used to hold court.