Tamatea named the Takitimu muanga (mountains) in memory of the famous waka after it was struck in Te Waewae Bay by 3 huge waves, O-te-wao, O-roko and O-kaka, which resulted in it being hurled well inland and its cargo and crew being strewn about.

In some accounts the ranges inland from Te Waewae Bay are likened to three huge waves that caused the demise of the waka Takitimu. In other accounts the Takitimu muanga are considered to be the upturned hull of the waka.

For Ngai Tahu, traditions such as this represent the links between the cosmological world of the gods and present generations; these histories reinforce tribal identity and solidarity, and continuity between generations and document the events that have shaped the environment of Te Wai Pounamu and Ngai Tahu as an iwi.

Tamatea and his crew made their way overland from the site of the wreck. Tamatea likened the majestic and upright Takitimu muanga when he viewed them from the south coast, to the crew of the Takitimu struggling to control the waka in adverse conditions.

During the overland journey past the mountains Tamatea lost one of his party, a women named Kaheraki who strayed from the party and was captured by the maeroero and never seen again. She had been betrothed to Kahungunu, who was the son of Tamatea. The Takitimu mountains are therefore, a symbolic reminder of the famous exploits of Tamatea in the south, and a reminder forever locked into the landscape, of the tupuna (ancestral) waka Takitimu, adding luster to the noted spiritual values of western Southland landscape. They are visible from all points of the Murihiku landscape, and are also a noted weather indicator. The mauri of Takitimu represents the essence that binds the physical and spiritual elements of all things together, generating and upholding all life.

Initial concept sketch for 2.5m tall entrance carving

The finished carving

All elements of the natural environment possess a life force, and all forms of life are related. Mauri is a critical element of the spiritual relationship of people with the land.

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