Emigration of Turi.

Hoimatua killed and ate a boy called Potikiroroa, a relation of Turi. Turi, in revenge, killed another boy, called Hawepotiki, son of Uenuku. He ate the boy's body, and served up the heart at a feast, in a dainty dish, of which Uenuku partook (reminding one of classical times). Turi, dreading the revenge which impended, constructed two canoes, which he named Matahorua and Aotea. He gave the one to his daughter Kuramarotini, and the other to his daughter Rongorongo. "Matahorua was the canoe in which a large part of the world was explored, and Reti was the name of the man who navigated it." A chief named Kupe, desirous of possessing Kuramarotini, who was the wife of a man called Hoturapa, treacherously slew the husband, and fled away with the wife. He discovered the islands of New Zealand," and coasted entirely round them, without finding any inhabitants." "He found only two inhabitants in the country, a bird which he named the Kokako, and another bird which he named the Tiwaiwaka. He did not remain in these islands, but returned to his own house" in the fourth year after he had slain Hawepotiki. Turi was then on the point of fleeing to escape the vengeance of Uenuku, and when he heard of Kupe's discoveries he determined to start. Kupe gave him sailing directions. "Now mind, Turi, keep ever steering to the eastward, where the sun rises; keep the bow of your canoe ever steadily directed towards that point of the sky." "Then were carried on board all the articles which the voyagers were to take; and their friends put on board for them seed sweet potatoes, of the species called Te Kakau, and dried stones of the page 99 berries of the karaka tree, and some live edible rats in boxes, and some tame green parrots, and added some pet pukekos (water-hens); and many other valuable things were put on board the canoe; whence the proverb,' The Aotea's valuable freight.'" The canoe had a deck and a house amidships. The canoe leaking badly, the expedition put into an island "which lies in mid-ocean, which they named Rangitahua." Here they repaired and refitted her.

There seems to have been a fleet in company, for mention is made of other canoes. "Amongst the chiefs who landed there with them was one named Porua, whose canoe was called Te Ririno. They were carrying some dogs with them, as these would be very valuable in the islands they were going to, for supplying by their increase food, and skins for warm cloaks." Offerings were made to the gods, and the chiefs prepared to leave their island of refuge and put to sea again. A sharp discussion ensued between Potoru and Turi, as to the course to be steered, Turi advocating an easterly course, and Potoru a westerly one. Turi urged the directions of Kupe. "Why! did not Kupe, who had visited these islands, particularly tell us, 'Now mind, let nothing induce you to turn the prow of the canoe from that quarter of the heaven in which the sun rises'?" However, finally, Turi yielded, and the party started on a westerly course, A current brought the fleet into danger, and the Ririno was wrecked. Thereupon Turi again shaped an easterly course towards the rising sun; and whilst yet in mid-ocean a child was born to Turi, whom he named Tutawa. Their stock of sweet potatoes was now reduced to nine, and one was offered to the spirits on the baptism of the infant. When they drew near land, one of the crew was insolent; so Turi threw him overboard. At the time they landed the pohutukawa tree blossoms were falling off (February). Turi left his canoe in the harbour Aotea, which he named after it, planted his karaka seed, and started on an expedition inland. He arrived at Patea, and built a pa, and commenced cultivation with his remaining eight sweet potatoes.