Hidden in the Coromandel-Moehau ranges, legend says, a Bigfoot-like creature dwells within the bush.

Known as the Moehau Man, some believed it was a descendant of Maero, a group of supernatural people in Māori tradition, while others believed it was an escaped gorilla or baboon.

There had been speculation the Moehau Man had started out as a joke which became superstition, with a story published in The Press in 1970 claiming the creature was now “dead”.

The article quoted a county councillor, Jim Reedy, who grew up in Coromandel, and said there had “never been” any kind of monster in the area.

A drawing depicting what the Moehau Man could look like. Image: Haunted Auckland / Supplied.

“It started out as a joke, I suppose, and then superstition, and more yarns added to it until it became real to a lot of people."

However, paranormal investigator Marc Coppell has been hunting for the Moehau man since 2015, when he had "strange experiences" in a remote area of Coromandel bush.

Marc Coppell has spent time in America researching the unexplained - but now he takes a closer look at the abnormal in our backyard. Photo: Ryan Anderson/Stuff.

"After finding unusual footprints in hard-to-reach places and hearing heavy bi-pedal approaches, I had the unnerving feeling of being watched," he told Stuff in 2019.

"I've heard very strange scream-sounds, I've found footprints, and even had stones thrown at me ... I am dead serious. It's extremely bizarre.

"I've even heard what's called wood-taps which sounds like a wooden bat knocking against a tree."

Marc Coppell holding a cast he made, which he believes shows a footprint. Photo: Ryan Anderson / Stuff.

He says there had been "various modern sightings" and he had been contacted by people who reported seeing the beast, but were afraid to share their account with others.

Something in the bush

Scott Bainbridge, who covered the Moehau Man in his book, New Zealand Mysteries, says while he wasn’t convinced an ape-like creature roamed the forest, there was something “supernatural” going on there.

“When I was researching the legend I spoke with hunters and locals who said the area had an eerie feeling to it.

“These guys were hunters who had been all over the country, but they said that area of forest felt different and they would hear strange noises unlike anything else.”

While researching, Scott heard rumours about the Moehau Man being an escaped ape from a circus ship.

Investigative author Scott Bainbridge wrote about the Moehau Man in his book New Zealand Mysteries. Photo: Dominic Zapata / Waikato Times.

“I looked into it and spoke with Auckland Zoo about whether that would be feasible, but they said an ape wouldn’t be able to survive the conditions there.”

Bainbridge believed many of the rumours of the Moehau Man came from the gold rush era and many were probably “perpetuated over a few drinks”.

“My belief is the stories were exaggerated to deter people from going to the gold fields.”

Scott says he believes there is a “presence” in the forest, however.

“I don’t believe those creatures are out there – there’s no evidence of nests or faecal matter, but there is something. A strange feeling.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Conservation, says members of their team in the Coromandel had heard of the Moehau man “myth” but none had seen any evidence of its existence.

“Most visitors to the Coromandel are there to enjoy the walks, beaches, and nature.”

Melanie Earley/Stuff.