If you live in Pukekohe, you have probably seen our wonderful mural that was commissioned as part of Pukekohe Central Kindergarten's 70th Anniversary celebrations.
More than just a beautiful piece of art, this mural tells a powerful local Māori myth: Te Mauri o Pukekohekohe.
Pukekohe High School generously sponsored the paint and equipment needed for the project. Under the guidance of art teacher Catherine Tamihere, students collaborated to develop the mural's concept, in consultation with kuia from the local area.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance Pukekohe through public art, recognising community identity and shaping a narrative that celebrates our community's rich history. In 2025, the Pukekohe Library put on an exhibition to showcase the mural and the local story it represents. Click here to read the write-up about it from the Franklin Times.
A story rooted in the land
A long time ago, the forests around Pukekohekohe were full of Kererū, Tūī and Kākaā, which provided for the needs of the local people. There was a special mauri stone kept in a secret place, the location of which was only known by a few people.
The fame of the mauri stone, and word of the abundance of birdlife in Pukekohekohe had spread as far as the Te Urewera.
A young rangatira of Tūhoe announced to his people that he was going to steal the mauri stone from Pukekohekohe and bring it back to them. He travelled to Pukekohekohe with a plan to become part of the community. He married a woman from a local tribe. He took part in all the activities of the king, and when the bird hunting season came around, he joined the other young men on their expeditions into the forest.
He tricked a guardian of the mauri stone into showing him where it was.
One day, soon after that, he went out and took the mauri stone, putting it in a basket carrying eels, and started his long journey home.
Meanwhile, when the local people came into the forest in Pukekohekohe, it was silent; there was no bird sound or movement in the treetops. Wherever they went, there was the same mysterious silence.
The inhabitants of Pukekohekohe realised the rangatira from Tūhoe had taken the stone and quickly two taua were on his trail: one travelling up the Waikato by canoe and the other over land.
The rangatira of Tūhoe passed through the swamps, reaching Maungatautari as the mauri stone grew heavier and heavier.
The young rangatira could see that the taua following him were getting closer and he knew that he would not make it back to his home, but he was determined that no one would have possession of the stone but him.
He threw himself over a bluff and, with the stone clasped in his arms, sank swiftly down to the bottom of the lake. Neither the rangatira of Te Urewera nor the mauri stone of Pukekohekohe were seen again.
There were very few birds left in Pukekohekohe after that, but they say that the influence of the mauri stone, emanating from the waters of the lake, affected the forests around Rotorua and even extended to Te Urewera, where birds became more plentiful.
Pukekohe Central Kindergarten are incredibly proud to display an artwork that captures this story in vivid colour and emotion. More than a decoration, the mural is a living lesson for our tamariki about deep local connections between people and the land. It stands as a testament to the creativity of our youth, the richness of our local stories, and the enduring spirit of Pukekohekohe.
Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro – Nōnā te ngāhere,
Ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga – Nōnā te Ao.
The bird that consumes the miro berry – Knows the forest,
The bird that consumes knowledge – Owns the World
