The hill is notable primarily for its unusually long name, which is of Māori origin; it is often shortened to Taumata for brevity.

The name Taumata­whakatangihanga­koauau­o­tamatea­turi­pukaka­piki­maunga­horo­nuku­pokai­whenua­ki­tana­tahu translates roughly as "the summit where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, the slider, climber of mountains, the land-swallower who travelled about, played his kōauau (flute) to his loved one".

An even longer version, Taumata-whakatangihanga-koauau-o-Tamatea-hau-mai-tawhiti-ure-haea-turi-pukaka-piki-maunga-horo-nuku-pokai-whenua-ki-tana-tahu, has 105 letters and means "the hill of the flute playing by Tamatea – who was blown hither from afar, had a slit penis, grazed his knees climbing mountains, fell on the earth, and encircled the land – to his beloved one".

Legends from the East Coast of the North Island tell of his explorations in Ahuriri, Heretaunga, Māhia, Pōrangahau, Tūranga-nui and Wairoa.

[11] It appears in the 1976 (re-released in 1979) single "The Lone Ranger" by British band Quantum Jump, which featured in the title sequence of the second series of The Kenny Everett Video Show.