Nau Mai, Haere Mai ki Te Āpiti
Te Āpiti, also known as the Manawatū Gorge, is the scenic divide between the Tararua and Ruahine Ranges. It separates the East and West of the Lower North Island.
Te Āpiti is a magnificent geographical structure formed over thousands of years by the Manawatū River. It is the only place in the Southern Hemisphere where a river begins its journey on one side of the main divide and winds its way to the sea on the other side.
Legend has it that deep in the vast Puketoi Range there once stood a gargantuan tōtara tree. Strong and proud, it endured in the range for many winters. This was no ordinary tōtara tree, for within its bark lived the mighty spirit Okatia. After years in the range, Okatia became restless and agitated, and was filled with a relentless desire to reach the sea. Okatia toppled the mighty tōtara and made his way north-west, destroying all that stood in his path and leaving a colossal channel in his wake. Nothing could stop his might, his size, or his sheer force.
One day he came upon a mountain range with its tops nestled in the heavens and matching him for enormity and splendour. Okatia attempted to break through but the mountain range was strong and resisted every blow of the mighty tōtara. After many attempts, it seemed Okatia’s severe journey had ended. But his back was not so easily broken. Mighty and resilient, his will matched that of the mountain range. He summoned all his strength and with one great blow of the colossal tōtara, he divided the mountain range in half.
The Tararua and Ruahine Ranges were separated, and Te Āpiti, the Manawatū Gorge, was created. Okatia kept his direction and pace as he raced to the sea, never to be seen again. Te Āpiti stands as a reminder of his power and its beauty is that of legend.
Nau Mai, Haere Mai ki Te Āpiti!
Information Sources: https://www.teapiti.co.nz/maori-history/ & https://www.manawatunz.co.nz/te-apiti-manawatu-gorge/