Northland
Cape Reinga
This place is sacred to the Māori as the departure point for spirits journeying to their ancestral homeland, Hawaiki. The ancient pohutukawa tree's roots serve as the spirits' pathway. It symbolizes the connection between life and death, reflecting deep cultural and ancestral significance
Bay Of Plenty
Rotorua
Te Whakarewarewatanga O Te Ope Taua A Wahiao is sacred for its healing thermal waters, rich cultural heritage, sacred sites, and marae. It's a center of ancestral traditions and myths, reflecting deep spiritual connections with the land and significant historical events shaping local tribal identity.
Taranaki / Whanganui
Mount Taranaki
Taranaki Maunga is sacred due to its ancestral personification, spiritual significance, and role in ceremonies. It provides essential natural resources and is central to many myths and legends. The mountain symbolizes strength and protection, deeply connecting local tribes to their heritage and nature.
Waikato Region
Lake Taupo
Taupō-nui-a-Tia is sacred for its ancestral and mythological origins, life-sustaining resources, and role in important ceremonies. It symbolizes the spiritual connection between land and sky and contains numerous historical and cultural sites, deeply reflecting the heritage and history of local tribes.
Hawkes Bay Region
Te Urewera
Te Urewera is sacred due to its ancestral significance, symbolizing Tūhoe identity and independence. The land provides essential resources and contains numerous sacred sites. Rich in mythology, it embodies the deep spiritual and cultural connections between the Tūhoe people and their environment.
Waikato Region
Mount Tongariro
Tongariro Maunga is sacred due to its ancestral significance, central role in Māori mythology, and spiritual connection. It hosts important ceremonies and provides vital natural resources. The mountain symbolizes strength and protection, emphasizing the Māori relationship with the land and the importance of environmental conservation.
