Te-poka

Te-poka (Cyathea dealbata) and Mama-ku (Cyathea medullaris) — tree ferns — were once fish, the children of Te Ha-puku, but were chased ashore by Tāwhaki on his return from heaven. They are now the fish of the forest, i.e. trees, and cursed in revenge for the death of Tāwhaki's father.

Ponga is also mentioned as a son of Haumia-tikitiki.1

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References

Notes

  1. White 1887, 1:Appendix.

Sources

  • Tregear, Edward. (1891). Maori-Polynesian Comparative Dictionary. Wellington: Government Printer, p. 351.
  • White, John. (1887). Ancient History of the Maori. 6 vols. Wellington: G. Didsbury, Government Printer, p. 1:59.