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You have to New Zealand, Travel almost to distance of 30 km from Napier and close to, the north of Havelock and you are to find the legendary Te Mata Peak, New Zealand. Come to New Zealand to find Nature changing its vistas as you blink; the effect is arresting to say the least. The road to Te Mata Peak is easily accessible by a car, though it is pretty steep to the height of 399 meters. The views from the elevated platform enriching and clarifying your vision are simply mind blowing; you can see the whole of Hawke's Bay, from the Mahia Peninsula till Cape Kidnappers, and enwrapping grasslands at the side of the inland along with volcano Mt. Ruapehu, if you are lucky enough. There is an interesting legend, of Te Mata Peak, which fires your imagination. Read carefully and feel the bubble of romance bubble inside you, the folklore dates back to a couple of centuries. The people lived in fortified hamlets in the area on the plains of Heretaunga as was always up for a fair section of war with the tribes of Waimarama. Each tribe used to take counsel from the old men and women, and one such wise woman gave the Pakipaki Chief an idea, which would turn the affections of the opposing chief from war to peace. The plan devised was to make the Te Mata the opposing leader fall in love with her, and then as a mark of loyalty would be asked to perform seemingly impossible tasks. The plan was a success but with a miscalculated outcome, of Hinerakau, the daughter of the chief, falling in love with the Te Mata. As Te Mata was about to make easy business about the last task, he choked on a piece of rock as he was eating through the forest and the legendary giant Te Mata died. Hinerakau gave up her life by falling off from a precipice; the fallen body of Te Mata has given rise to the Te Mata Peak and the gully at the base of the cliff was formed as the Hinerakau's body touched the base. The legend resonates about unrequited love and the Gap or Pari Karangaranga is bears witness to the fact.
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