Pania of the reef

In Napier along the waterfront and promenade is this iconic statue sitting amongst the flower beds. Named "Pania", according to mythology she was a beautiful maiden who lived on the east coast of New Zealand and by day she swam around about with creatures of the reef world  but after sunset she would go to a stream that ran into a bay where Napier now exists.

Karitoki, the handsome son of a Maori chief quenched his thirst every evening at the stream where Pania rested. He was unaware she was observing him for many weeks until one night she whispered a faint spell which carried on the wind to him when he turned around to see her emerge from her hiding place.

They fell in love and pledged their lives to each other and were secretly married. Pania and Karitoke went to his house (Whare) but because it was dark no one saw them enter. In the morning she was preparing to leave but he tried to stop her. She explained that as a creature of the ocean, when the sirens of the sea called her each morning she could not survive if she did not go to them. She promised to return every evening and their marriage continued on that basis.

Karitoki boasted to his friends about his beautiful wife, but no one believed him because they had never seen her. Frustrated by this, Karitoki consulted a wise elder (Kaumatua) in the village who believed Karitoki as he knew ocean maidens did exist. The kaumatua told Karitoki that being a sea creature, Pania would not be allowed to return to the sea if she swallowed cooked food.

That night, as Pania slept, Karitoki took a morsel of cooked food and put it in Pania's mouth. As he did so, Ruru the Morepork/Owl called a loud warning and Pania was startled from her sleep. Horrified that Karitoki had put her life in jeopardy, Pania fled and ran to the sea. Her people came to the surface and drew her down into the depths as Karitoki swam frantically about the ocean looking for her. He never saw her again.

When people now look deep into the water over the reef, some say they can see Pania with arms outstretched, appealing to her former lover. It is unknown whether she is imploring him to explain his treachery, or expressing her continuing love.

Linking up with Weekend Reflections and The Weekend Roundup.

Te Waikoropupu Springs

The other half and I got back from our trip to Nelson yesterday and while we were there we visited Te Waikoropupu Springs in Takaka. The sign above (I think) translates to: "You are welcome, come on in, come up, come on up, you are welcome to this holy place, the source of well being of the fresh water".

We had to drive quite a way to see this about 45 mins to an hour out of the city but so totally worth it. The water was crystal clear - as far as I know there is only trout and ducks that live here.

Neat to see pots of bubbles where the springs are located in various spots. These springs are culturally significant to the Maori people and there is approximately 14,000 litres of water produced per second.

The floor of the lake is covered in white sand, waters that come out from the smaller vents carry the sand upwards.

Apparently the springs have been registered as Wahi Tapu (meaning sacred place) with the Maori Heritage Council of Heritage NZ, and in Maori myth legends is the home of the female Taniwha Huriawa (beings that live in dark pools) .

The short loop is good for walkers and lasts about 30-45 minutes. Because of the purity of the water there has been a ban on swimming, boating, diving, fishing, wading and the filling of water containers.

The other half has said to me he remembers many years ago diving into some of the caves under the water before the ban came in. The waters now are known for their healing properties and were a place of ceremonial blessings at times of birth and death plus the leaving and returning of travellers.

Linking up with My Corner of the World.

Fantail by Thijs de Koning

Our town has an activity zone which is very very popular with families and teenagers. Not only is there a skatepark but there is also a play area and will also in the near future include a cricket patch, a barbecue area, walking tracks, bicycle tracks,  soccer field, flying fox and cafe. I've researched the artist of this mural which is on the public toilet and it looks like it was painted by local artist Thijs de Koning and celebrates one of our iconic birds - the Fantail.

The Fantail or Piwakawaka as it's known in Maori is quite a friendly bird. They don't often hang about in public places but much prefer quiet native bush areas and tend to curiously flit around people. They are not endangered but in the Maori world they are known to bring news of a death from the gods to the people.

Linking up with Mural Monday and Our World Tuesday.