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Hinehopu's Secret Tree


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.

Comments

local alien said…
What a beautiful place to stop.
Love the maori legend
20 March 2018 at 09:02
William Kendall said…
Well worth giving this tree a nod, then!
20 March 2018 at 10:18
Andrea said…
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.
20 March 2018 at 14:13
Fun60 said…
So not just any old tree after all.
20 March 2018 at 19:22
Lady Fi said…
A wonderful tree!
20 March 2018 at 20:21
Billy Blue Eyes said…
What a great tree, worth making a wish under
20 March 2018 at 22:56
Graham Edwards said…
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.
21 March 2018 at 07:32
Sharon said…
I love legends like that. It's wonderful!
22 March 2018 at 03:55
Yogi♪♪♪ said…
That's great, here in Tulsa, we have an Urban Wilderness with an odd shaped tree many call the wishing tree.
22 March 2018 at 15:19
NatureFootstep said…
a wonderful story. The tree seem to stand watch :)
22 March 2018 at 21:22
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