CHAPTER III. TRADITIONS OF THE MAORIS.
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CHAPTER III.
TRADITIONS OF THE MAORIS.
TRADITION would lead us to believe that the old Maori Tohungas possessed knowledge which has never been transmitted to their descendants, particularly in the matter of astronomy, and there are some grounds for supposing that the proper course for the return journey to Hawaike was not unknown or unpractised by them in olden times, for to the north of Auckland, on the East Coast, there is a small bay which is still spoken of as the starting point for Hawaike; and within the memory of Maoris still living a small hapu did actually sail away for that island, but with what result is not known.
Kupe is said to have been the first Maori who sighted New Zealand, having come in search of his wife, Kura Marotini, who had been carried off by his brother Hoturapa, while another tradition asserts that he had killed his brother and carried off his wife, and to escape the inevitable Polynesian vengeance had sailed with his slaves to find a land of refuge. But Kupe could have done little more than sailed round the coast, as he makes no mention of inhabitants, who were found easily enough by the next visitors, but, returning to Hawaike, reported his discovery to his relations (who were as usual in a chronic state of war), giving them full sailing directions. For shortly after a famous chief named Turi, having had some relatives killed by a very strong tribe with whom he was unable to contend, fitted up his canoe Aotea, and having placed sufficient food on board for his small tribe, first murdered the son of his enemy, Henuka, and set sail for Aotearoa. Tradition further states that en route he touched at two small islands, named respectively Rongorupe and Rangitahuahua. It is also related that when in mid-ocean Turi's god (Rongomai) rose up out of the ocean and seized the
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point of Tutangatakino's paddle, whereupon Turi cast a man named Tapo overboard to appease the spirit; and as Tapo fell into the water, his god also rose and said, "When the bright star of the morning appears you and I will have reached the land." This speech so alarmed Turi that he immediately drew Tapo on board again, and installed him in the office of high priest and prophet. At grey dawn, as prophesied, the headlands of Kawhia were plainly visible, showing, beyond all argument, that Tapo's god was a very truthful and strong god.
Turi eventually landed in the Bay of Aotea, from whence he travelled down the coast to Patea, which place he selected as his head-quarters, his people remaining there, while Turi himself travelled on as far as the Wairarapa, naming all the rivers and points of interest along the coast, as narrated in a song still sung by his descendants.
The site of Turi's first plantation (Heke heke i papa), his house (Matangirei), and of Kupe's sacred post, Rangitawhi, can still be pointed out by the Patea tribe. Even the stump is still green of the karaka tree planted by Turi, the tree itself having been destroyed by General Cameron's force in 1865.
The ancestors of the following tribes came in the canoe Aotea, viz., Taranaki, Ngatiruanui, Ngarauru, Wanganui, and Ngatiapa. This alone leaves little doubt that the Maoris brought with them the warlike character of their ancestors, and finding an aboriginal race in possession of the country, quickly exterminated or enslaved them, for tradition says that Turi and his people, finding the country occupied, slew the people. And again, in the tradition of Manaia, chief of the Tokomaru canoe, and of the ancestors of the present Atiawa tribe, it is stated that at Waitara he found the people of the country living, many of whom he killed, enslaving the remainder. We have also the authority of Mr. John White that many of the Waikato tribes claim to be descended from the ancient inhabitants of New Zealand, whom they call Ngatimokotorea; and not only the Maoris, but nearly all the Polynesian migrations would appear to have had the same experience, for even the Samoan colonists of Nivi Island assert that their ancestors found a black race in
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possession, while the Caroline, Marian, and Pellew islanders show the Papuan taint so strongly as to be called Micronesians.
Perhaps the truest description of Maori character ever written was given by Lieutenant Thomson, in his work on New Zealand. He says:-- "The New Zealanders have the minds of children and the passions of men. They respect ancient laws and customs, but are ready to embrace new opinions given out by men of authority. So constituted are their minds that it is impossible to decide how certain circumstances will affect them. Futurity is seldom looked into, although like all mankind they long for what is unknown and regret what is lost. Fondness for novelty is a passion, but it is almost impossible to excite their wonder. Vanity, arrogance, and independence are universal, but they are more vain than proud. In all their actions they are alive to their own interest, and in seeking this are not overburdened with conscientiousness. A New Zealander could not brook in word or deed an insult when witnessed by others. Wounded vanity caused much strife and cruelty, and cannibalism were occasionally produced by a love of notoriety. They value life, but die with indifference when death is inevitable. They have little benevolence towards others, long-absent friends are greeted with a profusion of tears, but as with children this grief is destitute of impression. Gratitude is unknown, and no word expressive of that feeling is found in their language. Theft is rare amongst them. Revenge is their strongest passion, and this feeling is kept alive for generations."
