pouakai

A man-devouring bird of gigantic size, supposed to inhabit the South Island. One of these birds was a source of terror to the fairies called Nuku-mai-tore, until Pungarehu smashed its beak with his stone axe and killed it.

The poua of the Chatham Islands is probably an allied mythical bird.

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The pouakai was probably the Haast's eagle although others say it is the ancient and correct name of the moa.

References

Sources

  • Tregear, Edward. (1891). Maori-Polynesian Comparative Dictionary. Wellington: Government Printer, p. 359.
  • White, John. (1887). Ancient History of the Maori. 6 vols. Wellington: G. Didsbury, Government Printer, p. 2:33.

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