A HAUNTED RANGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 4406, 18 October 1934, Page 2

A HAUNTED RANGE.

THE RPIRIT OF TARAPIKAU The tragedy of Rangitoto recalls an old Maori legend that the Rangitoto Ranges are haunted by one of the patupaiarehe —the fairies, of Maori lore —a demon of evil influence named Tarapikau. . According to Mr Andrew Wilson, of Hamilton, who spent many years in surveying the Rangitoto blocjkis, the Maoris believed that Tarapikau occupied Raulkinui Hall, the highest point in the Rangitoto Ranges. He and another powerful spirit, Whanawhana, who lived- on the Te Aroha Mountain, quarrelled over a female spirit named Kalin. ■o day when Tarapikau was per died in a totara. tree sunning himself am Rangnnui, Whanawhana flung a spear at him. The spear missed Tarapikau, but caused him to fall to the ground. As lie did so Tarapikau grunted, and Whanawhana knew he had not hit him. The missile grew into a tea-tree. Tarapikau was very strong and could wrench trees out by the roots and throw great stones down the hill as though they were pebbles. When he was angry and stamped his feet the hills shook. Later Tarapikau turned into a shag and frequented a 1 alee which it is believed existed on top of the Rangitoto Ranges. The lake was the source of the Waina River, which, at present emerges from a gorge near the Davenport homestead and meanders along a pebbly bottom through Rangitoto, Otewa, Otorohanga and Pirongia until it joins the Waikato at Ngaruawahia. Mr Wilson sid that Tarapikau was believed to be a cannibal and to have eaten a number of Araoris who were iknown to have been lost in the bush. During Air Wilson's stay at Rangitoto 25 years ago the legend of Tarapikau was firmly believed by the Afaoris of the Alaniapoto tribe, and even to-day Alaoris will nor venture alone in the bush. When he and two Alaoris were camped out at Rangitoto 25 years ago, they heard a pig squeal. Air Wilson remarked that the noise was made by Tarapikau. Next morning the Alaoris left him. The missing native for whom the police are searching~is a Ngapuhi of only a year’s residence in the district and he may not know that the Rangitoto Ranges are haunted.

ATr Wilson stated that the hills of Rangitoto are rough and heavilv wooded. To the east of Rangitoto is the Pukeokahu Range, and beyond that is tableland, which extends as far as Taupo. The soil is not good and settlers have spent many thousands of pounds in trying to malk'e it productive. In the proeses they have destroyed thousands of acres of valuable bush, which, in his opinion, would have given them a better return, than grazing.