📖 Read the Legend

The Legend of Lake Taupō

Long ago, a powerful tohunga named Ngātoro-i-rangi travelled across the North Island with his people. When they reached the centre of the island, Ngātoro-i-rangi struck the ground with his kō (digging stick) and called upon the fire spirits beneath the earth. The ground trembled and shook, and a mighty explosion created a enormous crater.

The explosion was so fierce that it could be heard across the entire island. Rivers changed their course to flow into the crater, and over many years, it filled with crystal-clear water. The people named this place Taupō-nui-a-Tia, meaning "the great cloak of Tia," after Ngātoro-i-rangi's nephew who had helped create this wonder.

To this day, Lake Taupō remains one of Aotearoa's most sacred places. The lake's waters are said to hold the mana of Ngātoro-i-rangi, and the thermal springs around its shores remind us of the fire spirits that still dwell beneath the earth.

🤔 Comprehension Questions

The word "mana" most likely means: ________________

💭 Critical Thinking