On a fine day, about a kilometer off Pukehina beach, you can see a dark ledge. This is the rock of Ruahine. There is a channel down the middle, which divides Ruahina into the eastern side and a western side.
Ruahine is a very Tapu (Sacred) rock, and seafood is not allowed to be taken from the Eastern side.
Te kuku (the mussel) shell is very popular with the woman, because it makes beautiful music when they use the shell for Harakeke (flax) work. The mussel shell is called Te kuku o Ruahine.
If anyone breaks the law and takes kaimoana (seafood) from the eastern side of Ruahine,Te Kaitiaki o Ruahine (The Ruahine guardians) will come and attack the thief.
First a huge black stingray causes a violent whirlpool to scare the thief away. If the thief still tries to take the kai moana then the second kaitiaki (guardian) gets ready to kill. This is an enormous Swordfish with a white band around it's middle puku...
One man Mita Tahoka had the Mana (power) to quarantine these guardians with a Karakia (prayer).
Mita Tahoka gave the land to build Pukehina School in. His descendants still live in the area and some still attend Pukehina School.
Written by Mrs M North - Pukehina School.
