Maungahaumi is the principal ancestral mountain of the Maori tribe Ngaariki Kaiputahi,[1] as well as other affiliated tribal groups and hapū in the Tūranga region.
The Horouta waka (led by captain Paoa) became severely damaged by high winds and seas en route to New Zealand.
The waka and the crew on board were subsequently washed ashore at Ohiwa near Ōpōtiki with a broken hull and bow piece.
Upon landing, Paoa and his crew ventured inland to the interior mountain ranges to find suitable materials to repair the vessel.
It was on the mountain that we now know as Maungahaumi, where he found the totara trees that were used to repair and bring together the hull and bow pieces of the waka.