Karara-huarau

A monster who had his abode at Taupo and Waitata in the Collingwood district, and who captured a woman named Ruru. She escaped from him but was recaptured. Her people built a house the size of Te Karara and sent for him to visit them. Ruru came overland but Karara swam round by sea. He was tired and slept sound that night and the people set fire to the house and burnt him. His cave can still be seen up near Collingwood.

In a variation of the story the sexes of Ruru and Te Karara-huarau are reversed.

References

Source

  • Beattie, J. Herries. (1918). "Traditions and Legends of Murikihu." Journal of the Polynesian Society 27:137-161, p. 153.