Manaia, Mt
You need to have a head for heights to bag Mount Manaia as the last section is something of a rocky scramble, but its location on the Whangarei Harbour will make it all worthwhile.
Further details about hiking to the summit of Mt Manaia are available at the DOC Mt Manaia page.
Maori Legend
“On top of Mt Manaia stood the pa of Manaia, paramount chief of Whangarei. Opposite, on what is now called Marsden Point, lived the chief Hautatu, married to Pito, the most beautiful girl in the district.
The jealous Manaia sent Hautatu to lead a war party to the Bay of Plenty and while he was gone built a causeway right across the harbour to Marsden Point. By night Manaia led a war party over the causeway to slaughter those left in Hautatu’s pa and to carry the lovely Pito back to his mountain home.
In a rage Hautatu returned to successfully attack Manaia’s pa. Manaia, his two children and Pito fled along the mountain top, chased by Hautatu, who was about to strike Pito down when all five were hit by lightning and turned into stone.
The figures still seem to run an eerie race across the mountain top, and regardless of the beautiful hiking trails to the summit, and the tiny communities at the foot, the fisherman said that to this day no M?ori will live in the shadow of Manaia.”
| List Status | Official |
| Elevation | 403 m (1,322 ft) |
| Location/List | North Island, New Zealand |
| Region | Northland |
| Location Coordinates | 35° 49′ 7″ S, 174° 31′ 2″ E |
| Nearest Town/s | Whangarei
|
| Geology | Volcano |
| Recommended Route | |
|---|---|
Duration  |
3 hours (return) |
| Distance | 1.2 km (0.7 mi) |
| Start/End Points | Taurikura Bay |
| Difficulty |
Medium |
| Track conditions |
Track |
| Season |
All year |
| Sights | Views , Ocean views |
| Hazards | Slippery, sheer drops |
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