The full name of Lake Rotorua is in fact, “Roto-rua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe”, “the second-great-lake-belonging-to-Kahumatamomoe” (a Te Arawa ancestor). “A-Kahu” (of Kahu or belonging to Kahu) is the family’s affectionate abbreviation.

Kahumatamomoe was the son of Tamatekapua, captain of the Te Arawa canoe. He, and his nephew Īhenga set off from the landing place of the Te Arawa waka – to explore this new landscape. Their discoveries would go on to become legendary and stretch throughout the North Island. In terms our story though, Ihenga and Kahumataomoe were exploring inland, hunting for delicacies for Īhenga’s pregnant wife when one of his dogs disappeared chasing a kiwi. The dog eventually returned with his coat wet and regurgitated a meal of half digested fish. Ihenga of course realised that he was near water, so he searched until he discovered Lake Rotoiti. It appeared a smallish water way at first and hence Ihenga named the lake, Te Rotoiti-kite-a-Īhenga (the small lake seen by Ihenga). Later as the pair moved further inland – they discovered in fact that Rotoiti was not at all small – and was in fact connected by a channel – The Ohau channel to another huge lake. This, Ihenga named in honour of his Uncle, Kahumatamomoe and thus the name for our famous lake was given Te Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe (the second of these great lakes and belonging to Kahu-mata-momoe.)