Letter to the Editor TE TAKUATE A KAWITI

Te Ao Hou, December 1959, Page 58

Letter to the Editor TE TAKUATE A KAWITI Sir,—In issue 26 of Te Ao Hou a letter by Envious of Manaia, Taranaki asks where Te Toka o Mapuna is located in the Hokianga Harbour. I was also interested to know of a Mapuna near the Cavalli Islands. Browsing through a school Journal Part 4 of this year I came across mention of a Tokomapuna between Kapiti Island and the mainland more towards Wellington. This raises an interesting point in my mind, which is that it seemed the olden Maoris gave any rock over which the tide surged and placed in a prominent location the name Mapuna. Maybe there are other Mapunas on other parts of N.Zs. coastline. It is rather difficult to pinpoint by words exactly where the Hokianga Mapuna is. Suffice to say it is definitely in the Hokianga Harbour. As you go north by the west coast highway through the Waipoua State Forest about six miles past the northern boundary you ascend a steep hill. Right on top of this hill is a deep cutting. When you get through this cutting a panoramic view of the Hokianga Harbour is before you. I think it is second to none in the north. Looking towards the harbour itself if the tide is ebbing or rising the eddy over Mapuna is quite plain if the sea is calm. If rough a wave is sure to be seen breaking over it. It is located about half-way between the bar and the inner harbour which is plainly discerned by the hills and cliffs rising from the high-water mark. It is more to the north heads. We call it the Nor-west and a very good fishing ground for schnapper. I have been right over the rock in a dinghy but believe me it was a rather hair-raising experience as the sea seems to drop over the rocks and you are looking at a solid wall of water. PIWAI TOI.