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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 52

Legend of Poutini and Whaiapu

Legend of Poutini and Whaiapu.

The story commences: "Now pay attention to the cause of contention which arose between Poutini and Whaiapu, which led them to emigrate to New Zealand." Then is detailed a quarrel between a woman called Hine-tu-a-Hoanga and a man named Ngahue about a precious stone of green jasper, which resulted in Ngahue's being compelled to flee, "and he found in the sea this island Aotearoa" (New Zealand). After visiting the Southern Island, he passed up the east coast of the Northern Island, and arrived at Whanga-paraoa, and from thence "he returned direct to Hawaiki, and reported that he had discovered a new country which produced the moa and jasper in abundance." "When page 96 Ngahue, returning, arrived again in Hawaiki, he found his people all engaged in war; and when they heard his description of the beauty of the country of Aotea, some of them determined to come here.

"They then felled a totara tree in Rarotonga, which lies on the other side of Hawaiki, that they might build the Arawa from it." The names of the men who built the canoe are then given, and subsequently the names of the axes. A chief named Hoturoa hearing that the Arawa was built, borrowed the workmen, and with their assistance constructed the Tainui and some other canoes. The names of the canoes built by this party were as follows: "The Arawa was first completed, then Tainui, then Matatua, then Takitumu, then Kurahaupo, then Tokomaru and Matawhaorua. These are the names of the canoes in which our forefathers departed from Hawaiki and crossed to this island. When they had lashed the topsides on to the Tainui, Rata slew the son of Manaia, and hid the body in the chips and shavings of the canoes."