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KO
NGA MAHINGA
A
NGA TUPUNA MAORI
HE MEA KOHIKOHI MAI,
NA
SIR GEORGE GREY , K. C. B.,
GOVERNOR IN CHIEF OF THE NEW ZEALAND ISLANDS.
LONDON:
GEORGE WILLIS, 4 2, CHARING CROSS,
AND
GREAT PIAZZA, COVENT GARDEN.
1854.
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[CONTENTS]
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KO NGA TAKE KORERO ENEI O ROTO.
WAHI-I.
Ko nga tama a Rangi . . . . 3
Ko Maui . . . . . 10
Ko Rupe raua ko Hinauri . . . . 31
Ko Kae . . . . . 36
Ko Tuhuruhuru . . . . . 39
Ko Tawhaki . . . . . 45
Ko Wahieroa, ko Rata, ko Whakatau. . . 54
Ko Whakatau, ko Hine-i-te-iwaiwa. . . 59
Ko Toi-te-hua-tahi, ko Tama-te-kapua, ko Whakaturia. . 63
Ko te korero mo te haerenga mai o Ngahue . . 68
Ko te korero mo nga waka. . . . 69
Ko te hekenga mai . . . . 70
Ko Manaia, ko Kuiwai. . . . 83
Ko Hatupatu . . . . . 94
WAHI-II.
Ko te maunutanga mai o Turi i Hawaiki . . 107
Ko te haerenga mai o Manaia i Hawaiki ki tenei kainga . . 117
WAHI-III.
Ko Hine-moa . . . . . 127
Ko Hotunui, ko Marutuahu . . . 136
Ko Te Kahu-rere-moa. . . . 141
He korero patunga taniwha, ara o Hotupuku . . 149
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Ko te patunga o Pekehaua. . . . 153
Ko te patunga o Katatore. . . 156
Ko te patunga o Kaiwhare . . . 162
Ko te Huhuti. 161
Ko Ponga raua ko Puhihuia . . . 166
Ko te matenga o Kiki. . . . 172
Ko nga puhi a Puarata raua ko Tautohito . . 175
Ko te korero mo nga Patupaiarehe. . . 178
Ko te kitenga a Te Kanawa i te Patupaiarehe. . 180
Ko Takarangi raua ko Raumahora . . . 182
Ko Paoa . . . 184
[PREFACE]
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PREFACE.
THE traditions printed in this volume contain the main part of the fabulous accounts given by the natives of New Zealand, of the creation of the world, of their gods and demigods, of the migrations of their ancestors, and of the principal actions of some of their most renowned forefathers.
These traditions were all either written down from the dictation of their principal Chiefs and High Priests, or have been compiled from manuscripts written by Chiefs. As might be expected, they contain much that is fabulous and highly extravagant, but it is probable that many of the fabulous tales are strung on to much that is true, as regards their history and the pauses of their former migrations.
Although these traditions were all collected in New Zealand, there can be no doubt that they embody a great part of the Mythology of the entire Polynesian race--the names of the principal heathen deities throughout all the islands inhabited by that race are identical, and natives from Rarotonga, and from other islands of the Pacific who have heard these traditions, have stated that they nearly accord with their own.
Those who understand the Maori language, and
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who desire further information regarding the ancient traditional poetry and mythology of the Polynesian race will find much interesting matter relating to those points, in the volume of ancient traditional Maori Poetry, which I have published under the title of-- "Ko nga Moteatea me nga Haki-rara o nga Maori."
I have only further to add, that Mr. Murray, of Albemarle Street, is about immediately to publish a translation which I have prepared of the greater part of this work, when those who do not understand the Maori language, and are yet anxious to become acquainted with the religious rites and belief, and the fabulous traditions of a savage and idolatrous race, as handed down by their High Priests through many successive generations, will thus have an opportunity of gratifying their curiosity.
G. GREY.
London, Sept. 1854.
