popokotea

The name of a bird in the North Island, the White-head; in the South Island, the Yellow-head. The popokotea and the pihipihi appeared to Rata on his going to fell the tree for his famous canoe. Their appearance was regarded by him as an evil omen.

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References

Sources

  • Tregear, Edward. (1891). Maori-Polynesian Comparative Dictionary. Wellington: Government Printer, p. 353.
  • White, John. (1887). Ancient History of the Maori. 6 vols. Wellington: G. Didsbury, Government Printer, p. 5:7.