Lake In Tararuas

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 96, 19 January 1944, Page 4

Lake In Tararuas

Sir, —I was very interested in your article in the issue of January 17 under the above heading. The accuracy of Some of the statements there made I have very good reason, to doubt. The ’ os t was very well known to the old-time Maoris, but members of younger generations who searched for it under the direction of the older men were not able to find it, and because they could not do so, they cast doubts-upon the old men’s statements. Of the existence of a lake there is no possible doubt, and it still exists in its original form, water and all. Now it has been located it can be visited by anyone fit and able to make the rough journey. . According to the old Maoris, the lake existed in an almost direct line between Otaki and the source of the Ruamahunga River. The hollow in the old Oriwa Ridge does this also. The Maoris claimed the lake to be very difficult to find and that it could only be seen from its actual shores. The name of .the lake is Hopua Korari. It was said to be the resting place of the.hokioi, a bird as large as a giant moa and able to fly. Lius bird was said to be very uncommon and To have become extinct before the moa. The Maoris believe that the hokioi came to New Zealand at the. same time asuhe pipiwarauroa,. or shining cuckoo. Lne hokioi is still remembered by the Moons in some of their old-time songs.. That such a bird did at one time exist is supported by Sir Julius von Haast, who described a hjge raptorial bird whose remains have been found in New Zealand, and to which the name harpagonns •moorei is given. A description of the bird from native sources by Sir George Grey appears in the Transactions.. The hidden lake, Hopua Korari. was regarded by the Maoris as a very beautiful and also Sacred spot. It was forbidden to anyone but high chiefs and tohungas (learned men), and they visited the spot for consultation and important occasions, believing that there they would receive inspiration and be free from distraction. I have known of this lake and stories about it for. fully 40 years, and always believed in its existence. In my many , rambles in the Tararuas I had it (as well as thejhuia.) constantly re mind, and I considered itl very good fortune indeed to find this little lake, and subsequently have it confirmed that it was the lost one. I hope that I and my old Maori friends may not be wrong. The spot where thisdake gem lies is between two branches of the Ruamahunga River, close to the falls. I doubt if it would be possible to see it from any distant point, as it is only an acre or two in extent and is surrounded by a magnificent stand of gigantic rimus. It is a very beautiful spot and we approached it by climbing the steep banks of the river. I can certainly appreciate the old Maoris’ reverence for it. The late Mr. Ilona Webber, when shown the location of the lake on a map and given a description of it, was emphatic that there could be no quesuon that this sacred spot of his people had been found. He knew much of the old Maori stories. in relation to it. mat, too was the belief of other oluer members of the Maori race to whom the facts were reported, and it was a pleasure, to them to have confirmed the stories which the younger people disbelieved. I am sorry if I have exploded the Oriwa claim, but the fact is that a very real little lake existed in the exact bearings where the old Maoris said it was, and which in many other ways conforms with the handed-down knowledge. Xhe re-discovery was made some 12 or so years ago by a party consisting of Messrs. S. G. Mclntosh. H. Douglas. P. M. Muir, his son, and the writer. Perhaps someone could throw more .light upon this interesting subject.—l am, etc., F. W. VOSSELER. Wellington. January lb.