Karangahake
There are two different interpretations of how the name Karangahake came to be:
"Meeting of the Hunchbacks" is a description of the cluster of low hills in the vicinity and a loose translation of the name.
or the other interpretation is that it means "Calling of the Drums" as drums were beaten to warn local iwi of approaching foreign tribes - the sound reverberating off the hills and through the gullies and travelling a great distance.
The Legend of Ohinemuri
– According to Maori folklore, a small pa near the area known now as Turner’s Hill , was occupied by a sub-tribe. The pa was attacked by a marauding tribe, making all the inhabitants flee except the chief’s daughter, who was away gathering food. On her return she found tht the pa was occupied and she didn’t know where to hide. A taniwha who in a deep cave at the top of the hill took pity on her and after guiding her into the cave, blocked the entrance with a large rock. There they stayed until her tribe could re-occupy the pa and the chief reclaim his daughter. The river was then named ‘Ohinemuri’, meaning “the maid who was left behind”.
