Giants From the Dreamtime the Yowie In Myth And Reality

Northwest Nelson State Forest 1983

One hour old 40cm long man-like Footprints

The traditions of the Moehau 'monsters' are just as deeply rooted in the Maori psyche today as they were centuries ago.

The creatures are very real to them - and also many Europeans who have seen them - and there are still many places that Maoris will not enter for fear of these relict hominid survivors from the dawn of Man.

The wild country of the Heaphy River, which forms part of the Northwest Nelson State Forest Park inland from Golden Bay, is a region of many eerie happenings involving the Moehau.

At one Heaphy River location, during January 1983, a deer hunter found a trail of one hour old 40cm long, man-like footprints in the mud and sand of the river bank, which he was able to follow for about 3km before they disappeared into rocks.