Hāpopo

Hāpopo was priest of a people whose chief was Tā-wheta (or Whena). On the approach of the war party of Ue-nuku, Hapopo went to Rangi-Kapiti, to consult the god Te Kanawa through the inspired medium Kahurangi. The god assured him of victory. When the army of Hāpopo's friends was defeated, Hāpopo was wounded to death, and, dying, said: Lying, deceiving god, you have escaped, leaving the trouble for Hāpopo — words which have passed into a proverb (Atua haurangirangi waiho te mate mo Hāpopo).

❧