The Legend of Pania of the Reef
Pania of the Reef was a beautiful maiden who lived in the sea on the east coast of Napier. By daylight she swam about with creatures of her world but after sunset would go to a stream that ran into the bay. She would travel up the stream to an area where she could rest among the flax bushes (apparently near Sturm Gully, Bluff Hill). Karitoki, handsome son of a Maori chief, quenched his thirst every evening at that stream, because it had the sweetest water. He was unaware she was observing him for many weeks until one night she whispered a faint spell. It carried on the wind to Karitoki who turned around to see Pania emerge from her hiding place.
Karitoki had never seen someone so beautiful and instantly fell in love. They pledged their lives to each other and were secretly married. Pania and Karitoki went to his whare (house), but because it was dark no-one saw them enter. At sunrise, Pania prepared to leave but Karitoki tried to stop her. She explained that as a creature of the ocean, when the sirens of the sea called her each morning, she could not survive if she did not go to them. She promised to return every evening and their marriage continued on that basis.
Karitoki boasted to his friends about his beautiful wife, but no one believed him because they had never seen her. Frustrated by this, Karitoki consulted a kaumatua (wise elder) in the village. The kaumatua told Karitoki that being a sea creature, Pania would not be allowed to return to the sea if she swallowed cooked food.
That night, as Pania slept, Karitoki took a morsel of cooked food and put it in Pania's mouth. As he did so, Ruru the morepork (owl) called a warning and Pania awoke. Horrified that Karitoki had put her life in jeopardy, she fled from the house and ran to the sea. Her people came to the surface and drew her down into the depths as Karitoki swam frantically about the ocean looking for her. He never saw her again.
When people now look deep into the water over the reef, some say they can see Pania with arms outstretched, appealing to her former lover. It is unknown whether she is imploring him to explain his treachery, or expressing her continuing love.
The Napier statue
A 1.5 metre bronze statue of Pania was unveiled at Napier's Marine Parade on 10 June 1954, and is much photographed by tourists. A clay model of a local Maori school girl was sent to Italy, where the bronze likeness was made by the Carrara Company.
Tom Parker Fountain
With its kaleidoscopic play of colourful lights and jets of water, this fountain is among Napier's most popular Art Deco landmarks. It often features in period-style photo shots and video footage.
The fountain was officially opened on the night before Christmas Eve in 1936. Having gone through the Depression, locals and visitors alike were drawn to this visual treat, particularly after dusk when the coloured lights transform the attraction into a magical sight.
Its donor was the owner of a men's outfitters shop in Hastings Street. Tom Parker was a colourful Napier character who made many gifts to worthy causes and to the city.
The council redeveloped the remaining play area north of the fountain as lawns and gardens to match those south of the water feature. Beneath this area lies the rubble of the old Napier destroyed in the 1931 earthquake.
The fountain first played at its dedication, at 8:30pm on 23 December 1936, and it has continued to do so apart from the war and immediate post-war years. The total cost of the project, including the surrounding landscaping, was almost £3500.
The fountain plays seven days a week.
- During the day (8:00am to 8:00pm), it works on a single low pressure pump and the outer jets.
- At night (8:00pm to midnight), both high and low pressure pumps are in action for a full water and lighting sequence.
- There are many other Marine Parade attractions; particularly in the section running from Ocean Spa to the Aquarium (and Spirit of Napier fountain) For more info click the 'related website' link above.
- The Marine Parade is enhanced by a coastal walkway - a scenic flat path now running along the sea side of the Parade for miles.
Cache should be a simple find. If you sit on the concrete at your nearest readings and 'peer in' you should see it. Please use stealth and hide well as I am not local, so will be maintaining from a distance.
Online logging requirement: a photo with a geocacher and a recognisable Marine Parade attraction in it.