There were many

mountain gods that

lived in the Northland;
Ruapehu, Tongariro,
Ngruahoe, Taranaki,
Tauhara and Pihanga.

Tongariro beat Taranaki.

A small stone guided him
to the coast and on his
flight, he carved
Whanganui River.

Pihanga was the

only female and
Tongariro and
taranaki both
wanted pihanga for
their own.

Taranaki noticed a
gorgeous range called
Pouakai and settled
beside her

Tongariro and
Taranaki fought
for pihanga.

Taranaki and Pouakai

had many children,
wind, rain, plants,
people, rocks and
rivers

During the fight,

tongariro lost his
head and it fell in the
middle of Lake taupo
and is now known as
Motutaiko Island.

Tongariro and
Pihanga lived happily
ever after.