Pōtaka-tāwhiti

A dog belonging to Haumai-tāwhiti. It was killed by Ue-nuku for eating tapu food, and was devoured by Toi-te-huatahi. When Tama-te-kapua and Whakaturia came in search of the dog it began to howl in the belly of Toi, and on hearing this noise Tama and his relatives determined on revenge. Out of this circumstance arose disputes and war in Hawaiki, ultimately causing the migration of many warriors and the peopling of New Zealand by the Māori race.

Also the name of a dog belonging to Uenuku-kopako.1 It was killed by Mataaho and Kawaarero; and this led to fierce war in the Rotorua district.

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References

Notes

  1. Grey 1855, p. 124.

Sources

  • Grey, Sir George. (1855). Polynesian Mythology. Auckland: Brett, pp. 76 ff.
  • Tregear, Edward. (1891). Maori-Polynesian Comparative Dictionary. Wellington: Government Printer, p. 357.
  • White, John. (1885). "Maori Customs and Superstitions." In T. W. Gudgeon, History and Doings of the Maoris from 1820 to 1840. Auckland: Brett, pp. 97-225, p. 110.

This article incorporates text from Maori-Polynesian Comparative Dictionary (1891) by Edward Tregear, which is in the public domain.