Did you know that the geographical landform with the longest name is in New Zealand?
New Zealand, the island nation in southwestern Pacific Ocean was struck by a 7.3 magnitude earthquake early in the morning today near the region of Kermadec Islands. Experts predict an impending tsunami in the aftermath of the shake. This recent earthquake comes only a month after another strong one (of 7.1 magnitude) had hit the same area.
Talking of New Zealand, do you know what the country is famous for? One is of course sharing the Great Barrier Reef with Australia and the indigenous Māori culture. What else? It is the only home to the endangered flightless bird kiwi, often considered as the country’s national icon. But did you know New Zealand is also the abode of the geographical landform with the longest name? Yes, it is called Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu and is 85 characters long! Today, let us dig a little deeper into it.
Inception of the name
First things first.T his landform is a hill with a height of 305 metres located in the southern Hawke’s Bay region of New Zealand and was formed millions of years ago due to tectonic movement. Its name is Māori is origin and is popularly called Taumata in short, taking its first 7 letters. The name can be literally translated to “the summit where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, the slider, climber of mountains, the land-swallower who travelled about, played his koauau (a small flute, 4 to 8 inches long, ductless, open at both ends with 3 to 6 fingerholes) to his loved one.” According to the Guinness World Records, it is the longest name for any geographical landform on Earth.
Interestingly, the Honorary Geographic Board of New Zealand in 1941 renamed the hill to a 57-character name “Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu”, which has been the official name since 1948, and first appeared in a 1955 map.
Who is Tamatea?
Tamatea is referred as the famous chief, warrior and explorer of New Zealand. As per Ngati Kahungunu iwi (an indigenous tribe) legends, he was the father of the founder of their tribe Kahungunu. In fact, they owe him as the discoverer of the North Island (the country is divided into two main landmasses, the North Island and the South Island, besides 700 smaller islands), from which he also traversed Hokianga and Kaipara harbours. They believe that one day he was travelling with his brother through the region when they got attacked by some foreign invaders and his brother ended up getting killed. Tamatea was so heartbroken that he stayed back and kept playing his flute to lament the passing of his loved one.
Another legend says that he was the one true ancestor of Ranginui, the founder of Tauranga tribe and together the father-son duo explored the entire East Coast of the North Island including Gisborne, Mahia, Wairoa, Napier, and Hastings among others. It also mentions that he travelled across the Mangakopikopiko River and Lake Taupo to sail down the entire East Coast. But unfortunately, his canoe sank and he was forced to climb a nameless hill in the region. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find a way to descend and stayed there playing the only company he had, his flute. Today, the summit of the hill has the longest name!
Taumata in popular culture
The Mountain Dew TV ad in New Zealand famously mentions the name of Taumata in its jingle since 1976. Not only that, the British band Quantum Jump’s single album The Lone Ranger also carries the name of the hill. The song was even part of the second edition of the mountaineering show, The Kenny Everett Video Show. Tennis star Martina Navratilova is said to be so fond of this hill that she visits it every year. Apparently, she had travelled to the region with her father as a ten year old and considers it to be one of the most memorable experiences of her life.