KĀ ROIMATA O HINE HUKATERE

These images were captured at the Franz Josef Glacier (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere), a 12-kilometer-long glacier on New Zealand’s South Island. The Māori name for the glacier translates as “The tears of Hine Hukatere” and comes from a tragic love story told by the Ngāi Tahu, the Māori tribe of the region.

 

In the story, Hine Hukatere convinces her lover, Tuawe, to join her climbing in the mountains. She’s fearless and a far more experienced climber than Tuawe. As they climb, the lovers are hit by an avalanche that sweeps Tuawe to his death. The brokenhearted Hine Hukatere cries until her tears flow down the mountain. Rangi, the Sky Father, takes pity on her and freezes
her loving tears, forming the glacier we see today.