Putauaki, also known as Mount Edgecumbe, is a volcanic cone in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand. Located 50 km east of Rotorua and three kilometres east of Kawerau, it is the easternmost vent of the Okataina volcanic centre, within the Taupo Volcanic Zone. The mountain rises to 820 m above sea level, and is visible from the waters of the Bay of Plenty, 30 km to the north. Every year a King of the Mountain race is run on Putauaki as part of the international King of the Mountain series.
Māori legend tells of a love affair that Pūtauaki had with Whakaari/White Island. Another version of the legend is that Pūtauaki was lonely after losing a fight for Pīhanga (another mountain) so when he met Tarawera he decided to start a relationship with her. After raising a son and years of a troubled marriage, Pūtauaki cast his eye out towards the sea, where the very beautiful Whakaari was. The two would call out to each other at night while Tarawera slept. One night Pūtauaki could not contain his love any longer and decided to travel out to be with Whakaari. It is said that a mountain can only move once in their life and only at night so Pūtauaki had to travel across the land fast. Little did he know, his son had awoken and was following him. He heard the little whimper from his son and turned around. He tried to tell his son to stay with Tarawera but the little mountain would not leave his father. Then the sun rose and froze the two mountains where they were. When Tarawera awoke she saw that her husband had left and she started to weep, thus creating the Tarawera Falls and river. Until this day Tarawera still cries and Whakaari still calls out for her lover, who is frozen to the spot near Kawerau.
People who live in the area refer to Putauaki as their mountain and when they can see it towering over the plains, they feel that they have come home. It has many, many different moods and views dependent on the time of day, the weather, the pollen and the viewing point; all of which are part of its charm and distinction.
Along SH34, there are two lions who keep watch on the mountain through all its moods and moments --- even when it is hidden by cloud, they are sitting there patiently waiting for Putauaki to return. We have placed this cache so that others will come along and pause and share a moment with our mountain, Putauaki.
SH34 is a very busy road and carries logging traffic, so care is needed along here, however there is a very convenient pullover area for cachers to use. The cache is small and has no pencil --- please bring your own! A pair of tweezers or a pin might be handy too!