Cape Turnagain facts for kids
Cape Turnagain is a special place on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It's a big piece of land that sticks out into the ocean, located between Hawke Bay and Cook Strait. You can find it near the mouths of the Porangahau and Ākitio Rivers.
How Did It Get Its Name?
This cape got its name from Captain James Cook way back in 1769. He was on a big journey exploring New Zealand. When he sailed south to this spot, the weather was really bad, which is common for that area. It was too dangerous to keep going.
So, Captain Cook decided to "turn again" and sail north around the North Island. After sailing all the way around and coming back to the same place, he decided to turn south again. Because he had to turn around twice at this point, he named it Cape Turnagain!
The Māori Name: Te Aho a Maui
Cape Turnagain also has a very old and important Māori name: Te Aho a Maui. This name means 'Maui’s fishing line'. It comes from a famous Māori legend about Maui and his brothers.
In the story, Maui used his magical fishing hook to pull up the land that we now know as the North Island of New Zealand from the ocean. So, the name Te Aho a Maui connects this cape to that amazing legend.
Where is Cape Turnagain?
Cape Turnagain is about 650 kilometers (or 400 miles) north-west of Chatham Island. This makes it the closest part of mainland New Zealand to Chatham Island.
