The Wakatipu area was important to all Iwi who used it as a base primarily for seasonal hunting and gathering expeditions and the extraction of pounamu (greenstone).

Rākaihautū and the Southern Lakes

The Waitaha people, led by Chief Rakaihautu, explored, named and lived in Te Waipounamu (the waters of pounamu or South Island) from as early as 850AD.

Waitaha was later joined by Kati Mamoe in the late 1500s. They were followed by Ngāi Tahu in the early 1600s. Throughout the 1700s, intermarriage and warfare saw three iwis (tribes) united into one - Ngāi Tahu. Modern Ngāi Tahu can trace their whakapapaback to Waitaha and Kati Mamoe.

The Wakatipu area was important to all iwi who used it as a base primarily for seasonal hunting and gathering expeditions and the extraction of pounamu (greenstone). Archaeologists have found evidence of settlements at Tahuna (Queenstown), Oterotu (Frankton), and Tititea (at the junction of the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers). There is also evidence of camping sites in and around the Dart River, Glenorchy, Bob's Cove, Pigeon Island, Kingston and Lake Hayes.

The Legend of Lake Wakatipu

Many years ago there was a chief who had a very beautiful daughter called Manata. Many young men wanted to marry her, including a young warrior Matakauri, who was Manata's sweetheart. Manata's father, however, would not let the couple marry as he thought Matakauri was unworthy.

One day a terrible taniwha (giant) named Matau came and stole Manata. The chief was heartbroken and said that anyone who rescued his daughter could marry her. Even the strongest of the young warriors quailed at the prospect of fighting the taniwha, however Matakauri's love was strong and he set out in search of the taniwha. After finding Matau in the mountains he observed that whenever a nor'wester blew, the taniwha went to sleep. While Matau slept Matakauri crept close and found Manata but she was tied to the taiwha with a strong cord. Manata then sobbed bitterly and so great was her love for Matakauri that when the tears fell on the cord the love in them dissolved it. Together the pair fled and as promised the chief allowed the couple to marry.

Matau, however, was still resident in the mountains and Matakauri decided to deal with him once and for all. He waited until there was a strong nor'west wind and the taniwha was asleep and then set alight the bracken bed that Matau was sleeping on. Matau was surrounded by flames and the fat from his burning body made the flames even more fierce, burning a hole deep in the ground. The fire also melted the snow on the hills and water poured in filling up the hole left by Matau's burnt body. If you look at the outline of Lake Wakatipu you can see that it resembles the shape of a person lying down, the shape of a giant.

The only part of the taniwha's body that didn't burn was his heart, which continues to beat to this day.

Myth reproduced courtesy of Reed Publishing (NZ) Ltd.