Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu facts for kids
Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu is the very long Māori name for a hill in New Zealand. Most people just call it Taumata for short. This hill is 305 meters tall.
Its full name has 85 letters! This makes it one of the longest place names anywhere in the world. People often visit the hill to see the sign with its incredibly long name.
The Long Name of Taumata
The full name, Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu, tells a story. It means "The summit where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, the slider, climber of mountains, the land-swallower who travelled about, played his nose flute to his loved one." Tamatea was a famous Māori chief and explorer. This long name helps to remember his adventures and connection to the land.
Where is Taumata?
Taumata is located on the North Island of New Zealand. You can find it near a town called Porangahau, in the southern Hawke's Bay region. It's a rural area, meaning it's mostly countryside with farms and natural landscapes. The hill itself is not very high, but its name makes it famous around the world.
Images for kids
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A more modern version of the sign
