Swirling in mysterious shapes and beautiful imagery over huge rocks, the Maori carvings of Lake Taupo can only be seen by boat and were created to be viewed from the water. We’d dropped anchor a few metres away and people leapt off the yacht into the dark green depths and swimming over for a closer look. My son and I decided to stay on board and observe them from a safe distance – a large lizard looked about to slip in and maybe snack on one of the bathers.
We were on a cruise aboard ‘The Barbary’ a beautiful yacht built in California during the early 20th Century. Legend has it that the famous screen star and romantic hero, Errol Flynn won the yacht in a card game in 1938. It was recently refurbished and is the first and, currently, only electric yacht to work commercially in New Zealand. The wind whipped across Lake Taupo and sent the boat scudding across to Mine Bay in fine style. The lake, on North Island, is actually a caldera, created by a massive volcanic eruption over 25,000 years ago. The volcano is defined as ‘dormant’, not extinct and, with New Zealand’s dynamic geology, it might wake one day …
So, in the 1970s, a sculptor called Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell decided to carve a series of deeply spiritual and highly significant figures to appease the earth gods who protect this area. According to Maori legend over a 1000 years ago a navigator called Ngatoroirangi guided the Tuwharetoa and Te Arawa tribes to the Taupo area. Along with fellow artist John Randall, Matahi chipped away at the 10 metre high rocks to produce this awe-inspiring image of the navigator.
As the afternoon wore on the swimmers came back on board and we had drinks and something to eat, then it was time to up anchor and head back. On one side of the rocks are two Celtic-style shapes depicting a Mermaid and the South Wind. That wind blew us at a fair old pace all the way across the lake to the shore …
Gazing over at those intriguing Maori carvings of Lake Taupo I felt the power and significance that they hold for all who see them. Somehow the fact that they were made only a few decades ago made them even more relevant. It is reassuring to know that the skills and spiritual beliefs that it took to make them are still alive and thriving in today’s frenetic world …
This trip was made after a dear relative left me some money and I decided to fulfil a lifelong ambition to visit New Zealand. My son was 10 years old and a big fan of ‘Lord of the Rings’. We spent a wonderful 6 weeks exploring North Island and the top of South Island with a good New Zealand friend from my days living in Greece. This holiday far exceeded my expectations and has stayed in our memories as one of the best trips ever. Read how I learnt a valuable lesson from swimming with dolphins at Kaikoura – and promise yourself you’ll pursue your dreams – they really can come true …
Those carvings look incredible. How did I miss this on my visit?!
Liv I think they are not so high on the to do list for some visitors as Lake Taupo is sometimes missed off the tourist route. Plus you have to go by boat to see them. We were fortunate as friend we travelled with told us about them. Hope you get to see them one day!
I went to NZ in 1965 and to Lake Taupo but didn’t know about these carvings! Your comment about an inheritance making this possible made me thing of something. I just moved to a new state and got a new home so need to update my will. The money I plan to leave to my nephews I plan to ask them to please use on travel. None of them need it to live on and travel is so much fun and educational too! Luckily they all like to travel so the note may not be necessary!
The carvings were only done in the 1970s Kay so wouldn’t have been there when you visited. What a lovely idea to ask your nephews to use the money to travel – it will create memories that will last a lifetime. When my Dad died Mum used some of the money he’d left to go to Italy with a dear friend who had never been abroad before. It changed her life 🙂 Travel is a real gift …
Ditto Liv. Been to Lake Taupo and can’t believe I missed these. At least I’ve seen the pics now. Thanks!
Glad to be putitng it on the map! Definitely recommend it for your next visit Tracey 🙂
Those carvings look amazing! Definitely one for the bucket list.
Tracey they are very impressive. The lake sail is a very enjoyable way of seeing Taupo and these carvings are well worth the boat fare.