Ko Mauao te Maunga : Floor Puzzle

A nameless hill fell in love with Puwhenua, but her heart belonged to the great mountain Otanewainuku. Heartbroken, he asked the Patupaiarehe to drag him to the ocean so he could drown himself. As they pulled him across the land, they formed the Waimapu River. Before reaching the sea, the rising sun fixed him in place, and he was named Mauao, meaning “caught by the morning sun.” Today he stands at the entrance of Tauranga Moana, also known as Mount Maunganui.

This story is brought to life as a 60 × 80 centimetre floor puzzle, made from durable MDF wood and 4 millimetres thick, designed for tamariki to explore through hands-on play, storytelling, and visual learning.

Puzzle piece numbers can be customised depending on your specifications, with standard options including 9-piece, 16-piece, 18-piece 32-piece, and 42-piece versions — making it easy to choose the right challenge level. Ideal for whānau time, classrooms, or as a standout gift, this puzzle invites tamariki to explore courage, clever thinking, and perseverance through play, while building a deeper understanding of Māori storytelling and cultural identity.