Awa Tauranga (ˈawa ˈtaʊrɑŋa)
"As we passed into the harbor, the waves vanished and the water became like blue glass, glistening in the sunlight. At the helm, the Tāngata priest of the harbor-god relaxed, and we all felt the sense of peace and safety that permeated that place. A dolphin came to the side and paced the ship for a few minutes, and I saw countless birds along the shore and in the water. It was a truly magical place." - from a letter by Miyagi Yumeko to her son.
Awa Tauranga is one of the safest and most sheltered bodies of water in the Great Ring. Located just off the northern coast of Atu Motu, the harbor is shielded from ocean currents and dangerous weather by the long, thin island of Kautea which extends across the harbor's entrance.
Ships traveling through the Southern Region of the Great Ring have been taking shelter in Awa Tauranga for centuries, and this traffic led to the growth and prominence of the city of Tauranga. Originally, the harbor was called Awa Kautea, but the Whenua-Mārama hapū who rule Tauranga changed the name to emphasize the importance of the city, and today only the Kautea Nui hapū still call it Awa Kautea.
Notable Spirits
Awa Tauranga is home to the Atua known as Wareia. This god manifests as a whale with the teeth of a shark, and guards the harbor against any ships not invited to enter. In order to gain the safety of the harbor, a tohungatua of Wareia must introduce the vessel to the Atua, and formally invite the ship to enter into the harbor. Ships seeking this invitation typically dock at the whaling port of Taurapuru on Kautea and travel the four miles overland to Wareia's marae on the southern shore, where they can arrange for one to be provided. This invitation persists until it is revoked, allowing ships to come and go unless they break any of Wareia's laws; these mostly revolve around what may and may not be cast into the waters. For example, blood may not be spilled into the harbor, nor may alcohol. Breaking these rules will enrage Wareia, who will then drive the ship from the harbor and deny them reentry until they receive forgiveness for their transgressions from a tohungatua.
Geography
Awa Tauranga is shaped a like a wedge, with a relatively narrow entrance to the northwest shielded by Kautea just beyond. Once past the harbor's mouth, it spreads out into a placid and beautiful stretch of water a little over ten miles across. On the far side of the harbor is the city of Tauranga, flanked on either side by rivers that begin in the Kohu Maunga mountains south of the city. The coastline on either side of the city is a mix of mud flats, mangrove swamps, and salt marshes.
Geographic Details
Location: Southern RegionLatitude: 0.08 degrees South
Longitude: 0.14 degrees West
Area: 69.5 sq mi
I really love the excerpt from the letter and the way it described the harbor. I enjoyed the worldbuilding done here. Did have a bit of problem visualizing how Kautea protects the island. And I wouldn't mind seeing more about the flora and fauna. But I still did enjoy reading this article.
Thanks!