Ngātoro-i-rangi
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In Māori mythology, Ngātoro-i-rangi (Ngātoro) is the name of a priest in the legends about the settling of New Zealand. It was intended that he should command the Tainui canoe in its journey from Hawaiki to New Zealand, but Ngātoro-i-rangi was outwitted by Tama-te-kapua, who enticed him on board the Arawa. Because Kearoa, the wife of Ngātoro-i-rangi, had been insulted by Tama-te-kapua, Ngātoro-i-rangi drove the Arawa into the mouth of Te Parata, a whirlpool. It was only when the shrieks of the women and children moved his heart with pity, that he relented and let the canoe emerge safely. After he landed, Ngātoro-i-rangi went about making springs of water appear where he stamped his foot. He also placed patupaearehe (fairies) on the hills. He caused fire from Hawaiki to come by way of the hot-springs to Tongariro mountain, which since that time is a volcano. On account of a curse rashly uttered by his brother-in-law Manaia, Ngātoro-i-rangi led an expedition to Hawaiki, and defeated Manaia in the battle of Ihumoto-motokia. He returned to New Zealand and fortified Motiti Island, where he was attacked by Manaia, who, with all his host, perished when, by mighty spells, Ngātoro-i-rangi raised a storm called Te Aputahi-a-Pawa.
[edit] References
- R.D. Craig, Dictionary of Polynesian Mythology (Greenwood Press: New York, 1989) 185
- E.R. Tregear, Maori-Polynesian Comparative Dictionary (Lyon and Blair: Lambton Quay 1891), 280-281.
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