Sidestep: Atiamuri Stones

The Hatupatu carved stone beside State Highway 1 is just part of a whole line that once existed.

There are two stories related to this stone. One is just for this rock (a more recent story) and one that is related to all those stones that once existed before being taken away.

1. First - the single rock called Te kōhatu o Hatupatu: Hatupatu was being chased by Kurangaituku, a tipua (supernatural being) who was part woman, part bird. He said a karakia (charm) to allow the rock to open and let him hide inside. Small sprigs of bracken can be seen around the depression in the rock – passers-by often place an offering of twigs, bracken and sometimes food there. This practice was also common at places said to be inhabited by taniwha.

2. The second version was told by an old chief, Manihera, to Gilbert Mair in 1886. He had seen a line of 140 stones and enquired as to who put them there. They were set up by Whaita to commemorate the slaying of 140 Ngatikahupungapunga’s in revenge for a killing. Here is the link to his article: http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=NZH19140420.2.128.8

So here again we have two different stories as we did with Tokohaiere. One is unlikely and the other completely fanciful. I say unlikely because Maori did not just set up memorials of carved stone to commemorate victories over enemies - certainly not 140 of them all in a straight line with one standing 2 metres higher than the other. And then the question remains - were did the 139 go since 1866. There is only one left!

I suppose it is best we stick to what we can prove. It’s coming.