The legend de Puna, the famous warrior who gave his name to the city of Punaauia begins in the valley of Matatia. In this deep valley lived Princess Matatia by her name Potii Pataaroa and an evil cannibal warrior by the name of Pilipeo.
When the sun began to fall and the dew blew on the neighboring island Maiao, Princess Matatia rubbed herself with mayor leaves, (polypodium vitiense) a particularly fragrant fern, to perfume herself.
It was these sweet smells carried by the wind that reached Maiao where the Puna warrior resided. The latter, attracted by this perfume, decided to leave immediately to conquer the princess, but Pilipeo guessed Matatia's ruse and asked his childhood friend, Tetiaroa to blow very hard from the maramu to prevent the Puna canoe from approaching the coast.
Matatia's name also comes from an episode of the Puna legend. It was in the valley of Matatia, that Puna's eyes were pierced by arrows. (Mata = eyes; Tia = pierced)
