History of Māori and Te Āpiti
The name Te Āpiti, meaning "the narrow passage", was given to the Manawatū Gorge by Rangitāne, the tangata whenua of this area.
For more than 700 years, Te Āpiti served as an important connection between the eastern and western parts of the Rangitāne rohe. Long before roads were built through the gorge, local Māori travelled along the Manawatū River, hauling their waka upstream through its rapids.
The river was known as Te Au Rere a Te Tonga, meaning "the rushing current of the south". This name reflects the power and significance of this important waterway.
Māori kōrero is filled with legends that show Aotearoa through spirits, magic and mysticism, and Te Āpiti is no exception. Its story is filled with supernatural beings, curiosities of nature, and a connection to the land that goes far beyond what can be explained.
The Story of Te Āpiti's formation
Legend has it that deep in the Puketoi Range there once stood a gargantuan tōtara tree. Strong and proud, it endured in the range for many winters. This was no ordinary tōtara tree, for within its bark lived the mighty spirit Okatia.
After years in the range, Okatia became restless and agitated, and was filled with a relentless desire to reach the sea. Okatia toppled the mighty tōtara and made his way north-west, decimating all that stood in his path and leaving a colossal channel in his wake. Nothing could stop his might, his size, or his sheer power.
One day he came upon a mountain range nestled in the clouds and matching him in enormity and splendour. Okatia attempted to break through but the mountain range was strong and resisted each blow of the mighty tōtara. After many attempts, it seemed Okatia’s journey had ended. But his back was not so easily broken. Mighty and resilient, his will matched that of the mountain range. He summoned all his strength and with one blow of the colossal tōtara, he broke the mountain range in two.
The Tararua and Ruahine Ranges were separated, and Te Āpiti, the Manawatū Gorge, was born. Okatia kept his direction and pace as he raced to the sea, never to be seen again.
Te Āpiti stands as a reminder of his power and its beauty is that of legend.
