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Its name means "caught by the dawn" and, as the sun rose on Mauao today, the Bay of Plenty landmark known generally as Mount Maunganui was once more owned by local iwi.
Parliament yesterday passed legislation which saw the Crown relinquish ownership of the Mount and transfer Mauao to Ngati Te Rangi, Ngati Ranginui and Ngati Pukenga. The Crown took possession of Mount Maunganui in the aftermath of the 1863 land wars, and iwi spokesman Morehu Ngatoko said his people had waited for this day ever since.
"It's very difficult to put it into words, considering how long we have been waiting," Mr Ngatoko said.
"Our people have inhabited the mountain, they have slept on there, their pa sites are there, the life of the people has been sustained there, all the sea food was there in abundance. It is deeply significant for the people, we are just overwhelmed."
A large party from the three iwi and Waitaha - which also has historic ties to the mountain - were in Parliament yesterday to witness the historic moment. They burst into an enthusiastic waiata of celebration once the speeches were finally over and the bill passed unanimously.
Unlike much of Parliament's business, necessary law changes to allow the Crown to transfer ownership of the historic reserve was not contentious. All parties supported the bill, and local National MP Bob Clarkson said the people of Tauranga would be pleased access to the mountain would be maintained and no commercial enterprises would be allowed on its slopes.
Labour Bay of Plenty-based list MP Mita Ririnui said the day was an emotional one for all iwi connected with Mauao, because of the way the Crown had acquired the reserve, and lack of subsequent consultation with local iwi over management and preservation of its historical sites.
"All the iwi of Tauranga have an ancestral association with the mountain," Mr Ririnui said.
"It is part of their oratory, it is part of their history, it is part of their culture.
To be alienated from this is a dreadful experience, and it has been outstanding for some time."
He hoped the return of the mountain would improve understanding between all sides, and bring a Treaty of Waitangi settlement closer.
