pukeko

A bird, the water hen, said to have been brought to New Zealand by Turi in the Aotea canoe. Its nose is still red from the pinch given to it by Tāwhaki, who on the way to heaven, met the pukeko coming down.

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References

Sources

  • Grey, Sir George. (1855). Polynesian Mythology. Auckland: Brett, p. 132.
  • Tregear, Edward. (1891). Maori-Polynesian Comparative Dictionary. Wellington: Government Printer, p. 370.
  • White, John. (1887). Ancient History of the Maori. 6 vols. Wellington: G. Didsbury, Government Printer, p. 1:52.