The stories of heroic exploration in this mountainous and once greatly forested country goes back a very long way. Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa sailing-craft voyaged to the shores of these islands over a thousand years ago. These original people travelled across the land and named places that would become part of today’s heritage landscape.
One of the greatest explorers in the history of Aotearoa was Tamatea Ure Haea, also known as Tamatea Pokai Whenua and Tamatea Pokai Moana (Tamatea the explorer of the Land and Tamatea the explorer of Oceans). Tamatea was born into a family of explorers, and he continued the legacy. He was a man of enormous curiosity and energy, who roamed throughout Aotearoa, from Muriwhenua to Murihiku – the far north to the deep south. Hence, the names associated with Tamatea and his journeys are to be found throughout the length and breadth of Aotearoa.
Boasting 85 letters, Te Taumata has been published in the Guiness Book of World Records as one of the longest place names in the World.
Because of Te Taumata’s unique point of difference it easily attracts attention appearing in several television advertisements, songs, social media platforms, printed matter, wine, clothing, and animated movies.
Te Taumata was included as part of the Wai262 Waitangi Tribunal Claims, commonly known as the flora and fauna and Māori knowledge claim. This led to the name being registered as a trademark on 6 April 2006.
