Aoraki (our tallest mountain) is the eldest son of Raki (the Sky Father). Aoraki and his brothers brought the waka (canoe) Te Waka o Aoraki, down from the heavens to visit Papatūānuku (the Earth Mother) who is their stepmother.

When Aoraki and his brothers saw that they would not be able to separate their father from his new found love, they decided to return to the heavens to be with their own mother Pokoharua-te-pō.

However, when Aoraki was reciting the karakia for the journey back he made a mistake in his words.

The waka stranded on a rock and he and his brothers were marooned. As time passed they turned to stone, their hair turned white and they became the highest peaks of Kā Tiritiri o te Moana – the Southern Alps.

This story is provided by Ngāi Tahu, the descendants of Aoraki.