Matamiha (Auckland) Traditional Cache
Gr8dad: Came here at low tide today, and yes it is gone[V] - must have been that nasty storm from a while ago!! I brought along a replacement, but could not find a decent spot high enough in the area away from storm waves. So sad to say but I'll have to put this one to bed!![xx(]
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Size: 
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The cache is located at the southern end of Takapuna Beach, against the sandstone cliff above the high tide. It's an easy walk, but a bit of climbing is required.
Te Riri a Mataaho – The Wrath of Mataaho
The Creation of the volcanic features of the North Shore is described in a tradition known as “ Te Riri a Mataaho”. In ancient times an ancestor called Matakamokamo lived on Te Rua Maunga, a mountain standing on the site of Lake Pupuke. He instructed his wife, Matakerepo, and her maid, Tukaita, to weave him some new garments but was dissatisfied with the finished product and argued bitterly with his wife. While they were arguing their house fire went out and it could not be rekindled. Matakamokamo then cursed Mahuika, the goddess of fire, with the result that she called on her fellow deity, Mataaho, to send a volcanic eruption to punish the quarrelsome couple.
Mataaho caused Te Rua Maunga to sink beneath the earth, leaving Pupuke Moana ( Lake Pupuke) in its place. At the same time he caused Rangitoto to rise from the sea offshore, and it was to this island that Matakamokamo, Matakerepo and Tukiata fled in panic. On reaching Rangitoto they realized that in their haste they had left their twin children at the southern end of Waiwhariki ( Takapuna Beach). Tukiata was orderd to return to rescue the stranded children with instructions not to look up for fear of further wrath of Mataaho. After leaving Rangitoto, Tukiata forgot her instructions and she and the children were turned to stone.
Tukiata became a rock pinnacle beside Rangitoto Beacon. The twin children, MATAMIHA and Hinerei became the rock pinnacles at the southern end of Takapuna Beach. Hinerei has since fallen.
Matakamokamo and Matakerepo returned to the mainland where the wrath of Mataaho was again directed upon them. They were turned to stone and sank beneath the ground by the western foreshore of Shoal Bay. Their demise was associated with the violent volcanic explosions which formed Onepoto and Tank Farm Explosion Craters. The southern crater is Te Kopua o Matakerepo, while the nortern crater is Te Kopua o Matakamokamo.
The cache is hidden at the south eastern end of some foliage growing low on the cliff face, 65 m SSE from Matamiha. You need to follow the rock ledge to retrieve it. The cache will not be accessible at full high tide - so time your visit right! It could also be slippery when wet, so be carefull.
Close parking could be a problem on nice beach days!!
Please watch the kids at the steep drops.
Accuracy could be affected by the cliffs.
03/03/07 - There have been a log warning of wasps nearby, so lookout for it.
The cache is a 1 litre camo painted Sistema 2 way clip container, and contained at placing:
Logbook, pencil, sharpner, pen
Parachute man
Squishee ball
hand-reflector
yo-yo keyring
small toy recorder
silica - dont take or eat
FTF prize - please take
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Oruvaq n fznyy pyhzc bs tbefr ng rlr yriry
Treasures
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