Waiomio Caves

A long long time ago lived a wahine in this area called Roku and she lived in a cave at Waiomio. She lived in the cave because she was hiding from her very abusive husband. She pleaded with Hineamaru not to take her back to her husband. Roku was an adopted ancestor into the Ngati Hine tribe by Hineamaru.

She accidentally came across the secluded cave while running away from her husband's tribe. She lived on tree berries, in season food from the area, taro, white bait, herrings, tuna and kewai.

The cave is so special because it has a lot of history preserved inside. Roku carved a sleep out above the water line and slept and cooked on that piece. The cave is now known as the Kawiti tourist cave where tourists pay money to see the place where Roku lived and glow worms.

Written by Feleni - Year 7
Illustration by Poipoi - Year 4