On our last road trip, the other half stopped the car on State Highway 30 to show me this tree. At first I thought "ok it's just a tree" but as I walked closer I could see a small fence-line around it.
In his words it was apparently known locally as "the wishing tree". If you can't read the words very well here's what it says:
"As a baby chieftainess Hinehopu was hidden under this tree by her mother. Disturbed on a journey between Rotoiti and Rotoehu the mother sheltered here from possible discovery from the enemy. Hinehopu grew to be very fond of the forest and was deeply concerned for it's trees and creatures which lived in them. It was under this Matai tree that she met Pikiao the second. They became husband and wife and in time the tree was agreed to be sacred for from their union sprang the Ngati Pikiao tribe and it's many chiefs and subtribes."
Linking up with Our World Tuesday.
10 comments:
What a beautiful place to stop.
Love the maori legend
Well worth giving this tree a nod, then!
I appreciate how Maoris or NZders treasure their natural resources even the not very incredible event are respected and given special citations. I remember a tree in Wellington Hill in Panmure. It has also a tag, which i already forgot.
So not just any old tree after all.
A wonderful tree!
What a great tree, worth making a wish under
I think it is wonderful that so many trees in New Zealand are conserved because of Maori customs and beliefs. It would be even better if we could value all native trees just because they are trees.
I love legends like that. It's wonderful!
That's great, here in Tulsa, we have an Urban Wilderness with an odd shaped tree many call the wishing tree.
a wonderful story. The tree seem to stand watch :)
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