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Cryptid

Moehau Man

New Zealand's Bigfoot. Hairy wild men in the mountains. The Maori spoke of them. European settlers reported them. The Moehau Man remains New Zealand's most persistent cryptid.

1800s - Present
Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand
100+ witnesses

The Moehau Man is a cryptid reported in the Coromandel Peninsula of New Zealand, similar to Bigfoot.

The Legend

According to reports:

The Moehau Man is:

  • A large, hairy, ape-like creature
  • Living in the mountains
  • Standing 6-8 feet tall
  • Covered in hair
  • Very elusive

Maori Traditions

The Maori speak of:

  • The “Maero” - wild men of the forest
  • Hairy humanoid creatures
  • Living in remote areas
  • Potentially the same creature

Sightings

Notable reports:

  • 1800s: European settlers reported encounters
  • 1930s: Prospector found “large footprints”
  • Various 20th century sightings
  • Sightings continue to present day

Description

Witnesses describe:

  • 5-8 feet tall
  • Covered in brown or black hair
  • Strong, musty smell
  • Long arms
  • Walks upright

Skeptical View

Critics suggest:

  • Misidentified pigs or cattle
  • No physical evidence exists
  • Stories derive from folklore
  • The isolated terrain encourages mystery

Sources

  • New Zealand cryptozoological accounts