How thermal activity came to the area

The Tarawera Ultramarathon Course covers an area that is very important to Rotorua’s Te Arawa people. The route proceeds directly along the thermal "line of fire" that stretches all the Way from Tongariro in North Island's central plateau to Whakaari - or White Island off our Eastern shores. The start line is only a short walk way from the world-famous Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley and finishes only metres away from one of Kawerau's Thermal areas. If you start to smell sulphur on this run you'll know you are near the finish line.

According to Maori mythology, Rotorua’s Te Arawa people are the guardians of the thermal region of New Zealand. This right came from the early explorations of Ngatoroirangi, a famous Tohunga (spiritual leader) from the Arawa canoe. Rotorua’s spouting hot geysers, mud pools and volcanic fire are said to be the result of Ngatoroirangi’s actions.

Ngatoroirangi left Maketu on the coast, the site of the Te Arawa canoe landing spot, and travelled inland in a south-westerly direction. While resting on the eastern side of Lake Taupo one day, the clouds parted and Ngatoroirangi caught sight of the gleaming beauty of a mountain away to the south. Overwhelmed by the mountain’s majesty, he ached to climb to the summit.


Hiking around the crater lakes on Tongariro. Considered by many to be the best one-day hike in New Zealand.

Venturing to the foot of the mountain, Ngatoroirangi ordered his travelling companions to stay put while he and his slave, Aruhoe, climbed the virgin peak. He left them with the words, “This is a hazardous venture and, if I am to return safely, you who remain must heed my words well. Eat no food as this will give me the strength I need and the gods will stay with me. When I return we will feast together and I will tell you of the things I learn from the mountain.”

Indeed the journey was hazardous. The snowy air froze their breath and iced their fingers, numbed their toes and stiffened their joints. Aruhoe stumbled many times but Ngatoroirangi urged him onward.

Meanwhile, those waiting at the bottom of the mountain grew weary and hungry. One said “He may have perished and we wait in vain” while another said “Hunger is an impatient thing.” So, with sidelong glances at the mountain, they lit their cooking fires and ate.

Their actions drove its icy cold fingers into Ngatoroirangi's heart. The stabbing cold caused him to bent over in agony, and he prayed to his sisters in Hawaiki (said to be the ancestral home of all Maori before they came to New Zealand) to send fire to warm him. “Oh Kuiwai, Oh Haungaroa came quickly. Ka riro au i te tonga?” (I am carried away by the cold south wind). Do not delay or I will surely perish,” he cried.

His sisters in far off in Hawaiki heard Ngatoroirangi's prayer and called upon the fire demons to go to their brother’s aid. So Te Pupu and Te Hoata plunged into the sea and swam quickly across the Pacific Ocean until they came to Whakaari (pictured at left - New Zealand’s only active marine volcanic now known as White Island off the Eastern Bay of Plenty coastline). As they lifted their heads into the air, the surrounding earth became a fiery pit where the heat remains until this day. As the fire demons rose they saw they still had many miles to go to reach Ngatoroirangi. Down they went once more into the seas and under the earth’s crust. Each time the fire demons surfaced – at Moutohora ( Whale Island), Awakeri, Rotoehu, Rotoiti, Rotorua, Tarawera, Orakei Korako, Taupo and Turangi – they left a steaming, bubbling trail of thermal activity in their wake. The ‘tunnel’ they made connected White Island to Mt Ngaruahoe forever.

Like a flash of lightening the demons burst through the enormous cone of Tongariro arriving as Ngatoroirangi lay near death.

Although Aruhoe had already succumbed to death, the volcanic heat brought by the fire demons slowly revived Ngatoroirangi spreading warmth through his veins and sending life to his muscle and bone. He named the mountain Tongariro to commemorate the cold south wind that almost killed him.

And so it is that volcanic and thermal activity came to the region and Rotorua’s Te Arawa tribe became its guardian.

This information has been shared and sourced from the people of Te Arawa and should be respected as their cultural and intellectual property. This information was provided with the kind permission of Destination Rotorua Tourism Marketing.

Explore thermal attractions

View the Geysers of the Whakarewarewa Thermal Field at Te Puia and learn about Maori culture.
Take a visit to the White Island with PeeJay White Island Tours.
Hike Tongariro with the Walking Legends Hike Tongariro Tour

Visit Rotorua
Kawerau sights and activities
Visit Whakatane - The gateway to White Island