Whaka-huruhuru-manu

According to some South Island traditions, the first canoe ever made. The crew of that canoe were giants and they settled in the South Island. Their names were Kōpūwai, Pukutūaro, Komakohua, Te Karara-huarau and Pouakai, and others. These passed into legend as giant birds, sea monsters, etc.

According to some the crew of that canoe were "Maeroero" and a big stone near the Owaka River is called after them, but the name is now lost. They are said to have played on the flat top of the hill known as Tua-te-pere. Near a farm at Owaka some stones stand up and the Maeroero used to come at night and sit on top of those stones and play the putara and the putorino.

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