New Zealand is home to breathtaking landscapes, stunning coastlines, and a lesser-known cryptid lurking in its remote wilderness—the Moehau Man. Described as a large, ape-like creature covered in thick hair, this elusive beast is said to roam the dense forests of the Coromandel Ranges. Unlike the North American Bigfoot, Moehau Man has been linked to both eerie and bizarre encounters, leaving locals and visitors scratching their heads.

This article compiles a mix of historical accounts, local legends, and documented sightings from sources such as regional newspapers, cryptozoology reports, and oral traditions passed down by residents of the Coromandel Peninsula.

1. The Gold Miner’s Fright

One of the earliest reported encounters with the Moehau Man dates back to the late 19th century when gold miners were working in the Coromandel region. In 1882, a miner named Thomas Knight went missing near the Karangahake Gorge. His fellow workers launched a search and eventually found enormous footprints leading deep into the bush. Some claim that his remains were later discovered in a state that suggested he had been attacked by something powerful. While local Māori legends spoke of "Maeroero," wild men of the forest, skeptics argued that the footprints could have been made by a large escaped animal or simply the exaggeration of a frightened search party.

2. The Peeping Moehau

A more lighthearted encounter occurred in the 1970s when a family camping near the Moehau Ranges reported strange noises outside their tent. The father, expecting to see a possum or a curious hiker, unzipped the tent and shone his flashlight into the trees. To his horror (and amusement), he was met with a pair of large, glowing red eyes, set about seven feet off the ground. The creature let out a deep grunt before lurching backward and disappearing into the dense foliage. The family later described the figure as "tall, covered in matted fur, and walking with a hunched posture." Rather than feeling terrified, they joked that Moehau Man was simply a nosy neighbor checking out their camping setup. This account was first published in a local newspaper and later recounted in cryptid forums.

3. The Roadside Surprise

In the early 1980s, a motorist named Dave Russell was driving late at night along a remote road near Port Jackson. As he rounded a bend, his headlights caught something massive squatting at the roadside, rummaging through what appeared to be a dead animal carcass. The creature, startled by the light, slowly stood up to its full height of around 2.5 meters (8 feet). It was covered in dark, shaggy fur and had disproportionately long arms that hung at its sides. Dave recalled that the creature gave him a "deeply unimpressed look," as if annoyed at being interrupted during dinner. Then, in a slow and almost nonchalant manner, it turned and walked off into the dense bush. Too shocked to move, Dave sat in his car for several minutes before mustering the courage to drive past the spot. By then, the creature was gone, leaving only a lingering musky smell in the air. This sighting was later discussed in local hunting circles and shared in an interview for a regional radio station.

4. The Curious Bush Stalker

In 1996, an experienced hiker named Sarah Jenkins had an encounter while trekking alone through the Coromandel Ranges. About halfway through her multi-day hike, she began to hear rustling in the undergrowth parallel to her path. Whenever she stopped, the noise would stop. When she walked, the rustling resumed. At first, she dismissed it as a wild pig or a curious goat—common in the area—but the heavy footfalls suggested something much larger.

Growing uneasy, Sarah picked up a sturdy branch and loudly called out, "Oi! If you’re a person, say something!" Instead of a human response, a series of deep, guttural grunts echoed from the trees, followed by a sudden, thunderous crashing sound as whatever was watching her sprinted away. Later, upon reaching a hut and sharing her experience with other hikers, a local hunter suggested she may have encountered the Moehau Man. When she asked how he could be so sure, he simply said, "Because wild pigs don’t run on two legs." This story was originally recorded in an outdoor adventure magazine and has since been retold in online cryptid communities.

Final Thoughts: Is the Moehau Man Watching You?

The Moehau Man remains one of New Zealand’s greatest cryptid mysteries. Whether you believe it’s an undiscovered primate, a case of mistaken identity, or just a fun piece of folklore, the stories surrounding this creature add to the country’s rich tapestry of myths and legends. While some of these accounts are well-documented, others may stem from misidentifications, exaggerations, or the simple desire to keep an old legend alive.

So, if you ever find yourself hiking through the Coromandel Ranges, keep your eyes—and ears—open.