Mount Tutu Eco-Sanctuary has four Spring fed trickles of water that are the source of the Mangarewarewa Stream which is the high source of the Waimapu River - this then enters the Southern end of Tauranga Harbour at the Waimapu Estuary.  The Waimapu Estuary is an important ecological area for birdlife, as a natural hatchery for fish and a significant area for Maori.

Vegetation - Pre-European, tall stands of Native Rainforest and Tutu scrub. Currently, this is predominantly confined to the South-Eastern slopes and Mount Tutu Eco-Sanctuary on the North-West with the balance in plantation forest and pasture.

Strategic Significance - As High Point overlooking Tauranga Moana and the Pacific Ocean.  During World War II 1943 - 45 a Heliograph and Machine Gun was installed at a time when there was a threat of Japanese invasion.

Prior to the 1930's the area was unsuccessfully farmed by Pakeha (White Settlers) until it was discovered that the soil was cobalt deficient.  As farming life was so difficult, the name Mt Misery became a common usage to reflect that (this continued).  These days Mount Tutu Sheep can graze without the atrophy caused by cobalt deficiencies.

The "Traditional name" of this Maunga (mountain) used by Ngati Ranginui and Waitaha Maori is Maungatūtū.  It was abbreviated to "Tu-Tu" Tauranga Historical Journal N ͦ  25 1965 "Ngati Ranginui Tribes who lived in this area originally commonly used the abbreviation "Tu-tu" for this peak". There is also a lower point to the south west called Te Tutu Hill.

The name Maungatūtū occurs in Deed of Settlement documents between Ngati Ranginui Iwi and the Crown and Waitaha Iwi and the Crown, plus many other accounts in Maori History, including in an old Ngati Ranginui Maori Waiata (song-lament):

E noho ana au i te poho o Ranginui

"Ka piki au i nga tihi o Maungatutu, Otanewainuku me Puwhenua"

( I climb the summit of Maungatutu, Otanewainuku and Puwhenua)

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The peak Maungatūtū is one of 6 significant maunga (mountain) to Ngati Ranginui Iwi.

An early British Military survey map pencilled in afterwards to this as Tutaiwhata, which has been repeated, but there is no corroboration in Maori history.  There is also a report in the Oropi News January 1984 of the name Tukutuku for this peak, this cannot be corroborated.  Some of the Hapu Ngai Tamarawaho know of this maunga as Tukituki.  Another name is Hokehokea.  

In 1997 following consultation with Iwi, the Department of Conservation erected a sign on the summit "Maungatūtū (Mt Misery)". This sign, pictured below, has in recent times been blown away in storms.  Mount Misery was an unofficial name, but on 29th September 2022, Maungatūtū was gazetted as it's official name.  The meaning of Maungatūtū is, "the mountain of prickly grass" and also "tu"  means "upright", but repeated as a frequentative to emphasize its' mana, as in "tū-tū".  There is also a dictionary meaning of a bird snaring tree and this was a significant area for mahinga kai (food gathering).

Maungatūtū (Mount Tutu) would also have been a great strategic vantage point for the early Maori to observe and for locating the giant Moa bird before sending out a hunting party.  The Moa was a flightless bird up to 3 metres tall which was unfortunately hunted to extinction. 

New Zealand (Aotearoa) also once had a giant Eagle known as Haast's Eagle or Pouakai which at 13 kilograms would have been the largest bird of prey the world had seen and used to prey on Moa.  The bones of this giant bird of prey have been found on both North and South Island usually with Moa bones suggesting that sometimes both were the loser.  There is sufficient evidence, including Maori legend, that Pouakai still existed after the arrival of the Maori who arrived about 1300 AD.  Just imagine this giant Eagle soaring, catching the updrafts and downdrafts around Maungatūtū (Mount Tutu), just as the Harrier Hawke's do today!

The nocturnal Kiwi bird now rare in the region, would have once been very common.  Unlike the Moa, the Kiwi was revered and protected by  the Maori and only the Chief wore a cloak of Kiwi feathers. Thirty five years ago, before the establishment of the Sanctuary, there were Kiwi.  It is the goal of Mount Tutu Eco-Sanctuary to Predator fence the Sanctuary so that once again the haunting shrill of Kiwi rings out to join the Tui, Kereru, Bellbird, Morepork, and the many other

enchanting birds.

Maungatūtū (Mount Tutu) and its surrounding Bay of Plenty region, so named by Captain James Cook because of the generosity of the local Maori, had a large pre-European indigenous population.  Following the 1864 Battle at Gate Pa, between British Troops and Maori, there was significant land confiscation - this did not extend to Maungatūtū (Mount Tutu) which was the Ohauiti No 2 Block as this was sold by Maori and is recorded as "Private Purchase".  There are nearby registered Maori Pa (fortress) sites and other archeological formations, it is though a pity to observe unregistered sites being destroyed.  One nearby significant Pa and cultivation site was the Waioku Pa on the south-western side of Maungatūtū (Mount Tutu). 

In 1993 the Sanctuary was covenanted by the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust Act which ensures legal protection in perpetuity.  In 1988 the Short Family established and has maintained active predator control to protect the birdlife, conservation programmes and education tuition by Tim (a former Mountain Safety Council Bushcraft Instructor).  Mount Tutu Eco-Sanctuary has Pukatea Trees over 500 years old and Tim and Debbie Short are Life Members of the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust, and with their daughters Rebecca, Jacinda and Louisa will always be lifelong

nature lovers!