One popular traditional name for Whangarei Harbour is Whangarei-te-rerenga-paraoa,the gathering place of whales.� This name was given by Ngati Wai because whales gathered in the harbour to feed over summer and the tradition is depicted in beautiful artwork within the whare nui at the marae in Porowini Ave, Whangarei.� Another name for the harbour is Whangarei-o-te-tohora, meaning \"waiting for the breastbone of the whale.\"�� One tradition refers to an incident where a young tohunga attempted to trick an older into revealing his highest knowledge.� The master tohunga replied saying, \"E whanga nei i te rei o te tohora?\" - are you waiting (whanga) for the opportunity to extract the breastbone (rei) of the whale? (tohora).

Another story relates to the words whanga (to wait) and rei (to ambush).� In this story Whangarei is a rock opposite Marsden Point (Castle Rock), where sentries kept watch over the harbour.� This version of the name means to lie in wait.

Two other versions of the name are Te Whanga-o-Reitu or Te Whanga-o-Reipae.� These names refer to the meaning of whanga as harbour and in this case, of Reitu or Reipae.� The latter were sisters who flew from Waikato in the form of two birds.� Reipae stayed at the Kaipara while Reitu flew on and was seduced by Manaia, now immortalised as Mt Manaia above the harbour's northern entrance.

�