The mountain was named after Rua Taranaki, the first ancestor of the iwi (tribe) called Taranaki, one of several iwi in the region. The Māori word tara means mountain peak, and naki may come from ngaki, meaning "clear of vegetation." It was also named Pukehaupapa("ice mountain") and Pukeonaki("hill of Naki") by iwi who lived in the region in ancient times.
Mt. Taranaki
Mt. Taranaki
