The Patupaiarehe of Mount Ngongotaha
Let me tell you a story...
In the misty mountain tops or deep in the forests lived the patupaiarehe – fairy-like beings who were rarely seen. They could lure people away from safety with the music of their flutes, and had magical powers and special knowledge. They were known to have had light skin and red or fair hair. Patupaiarehe were afraid of the light, and were only seen at twilight or in the mist.
A long time ago, before Maori came to New Zealand, the Patupaiarehe lived on the Ngongotaha Mountain, upon which you are standing today. They loved to sing and dance, and their only fear was that the Tipua, giants who lived in the Kaimai Mountains, would one day decide to attack them and steal their lands.
When the fateful day finally arrived and the tipua were heard marching through the forest towards Ngongotaha, the patupaiarehe had to rely on the cunning of their wise leader who was also a tohunga, to cast the ultimate spell and save the lands around Rotorua. The tohunga went to the top of Mount Ngongotaha where he lit a small fire and began to repeat the ancient magic spell. Down below the mountain, the tipua gradually became tired and felt too heavy to move. They stopped for a rest and soon they were turned into huge rocks. They could do nothing about it and are still standing there today, hidden by thick Mamaku forest or standing in the paddocks close to the main road.
(Based on Maori legends & the story The Rock Warriors by Don Stafford)