The Legend of Kurangaituku
Kurangaituku was a famous woman huntress. She lived in forest regions around Taupō and met her death in the bubbling cauldrons of Whakarewarewa. In her jutting Puhatauroa (the “lofty rock”), Kurangaituku kept many tame animals and beautiful birds as pets. She was gifted with the speed of the swiftest athlete, and her winged arms enabled her to skim across the mountains and valleys of her domain.
On a hunting expedition one day, Kurangaituku was incensed when Hatupatu, a young Arawa Chief, accidentally impaled her lips with his spear, and she captured and imprisoned him.
When Kurangaituku was a far distance from her cave on a hunting expedition one day, Hatupatu picked up his two-handed sword and killed her tame animals and birds—all except one, a tiny riroriro (grey Warbler), which flew to Kurungaituku and told her of Hatupatu’s escape. With three giant strides, she reached her home, saw the damage Hatupatu had caused, and continued pursuing him towards Rotorua.
By this time Hatupatu had reached Atiamuri and using his powers of enchantment he commanded a rock to open for him and hid himself from Kurungaituku. After she had passed, he followed her to Rotorua, but she saw him and again chased him.
Hatupatu’s only escape was through the cauldrons of Whakarewarewa, and he took this path. But Kurangaituku, not knowing that the ground was treacherous, fell through the thin crust and was scalded to death.
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