9. Ngā Pou Ahi  – Pillars of Fire

Ngā Pou Ahi or The Pillars of Fire.

Te Hoata and Te Pupu – The subterranean fire guardians by Raimona Inia (Ngāti Tarawhai, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) an Author of many books within Te Arawa.

When the Arawa people had settled the Bay of Plenty, the leading chiefs, with their separate entourages, set off to familiarise themselves with the new land.

After some time, the priest Ngātoroirangi headed south, travelling down the Tarawera River.
He continued past the mountain of Tarawera, where he was confronted by another great priest, Tamaohoi.

Following this battle, he continued south, passing over the land blocks of Tumunui-Parekarangi before reaching the base of Tauhara mountain. Here they all rested.

In the distance, he spotted the snowy peaks and wishing to climb the mountain summit, he prepared himself and carefully selected a handful of followers.