Para-whenua-mea

"Scum of the flood." The Māori Noah of the Flood story. Para was a son of Tū-pari-maunga and the god Tāne, or of Tupu-nui-a-uta. Men had grown evil, and would not listen to the doctrines preached by Para and Tipu-tupu-nui-a-uta concerning Tāne and his creation of the world, so at the prayer of these two preachers the Deluge appeared. They built a raft, on the river Tohinga, for the pious remnant and as soon as it was finished, the rain began. The raft floated about for seven months, at last touching dry land at Hawaiki, where the voyagers landed and offered up sacrifices. On board was also the priest Tiu, the repeater of incantations and director of ceremonies.

Para-whenua-mea had six children, viz. Putoto, Rakahore, Whatu, Tangaroa, Te Pounamu, and Timu. They became the progenitors of the human race.

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