FOR THE LITTLE ONES

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 243, 14 October 1933, Page 3 (Supplement)

FOR THE LITTLE ONES

HINEMOA AND TUTANEKAI

A TALE OF MOKOIA ISLAND

Jly Dear Little Friends, Visitors to New Zealand's wonderland always see Lake Rotorua and Have pointed out to them an island that stands well above the water. This* they are toid, is Mokoia, and on it can be seen the famous pool n ovv known as Hinemoa s Bath. A good guide always tells the story of Hinemoa antl l utanekai, for this is a tale that has lived for many years jn the memory of the Maoris and is now preserved for all time in the books of the pakeha. Hinemoa was a beautiful Maori princess who lived with her father on the shores of Lake Rotorua. Her fame spread far and wide and suitors came from all over the land to claim her hand. Because she was a maiden of very high rank Hinemoa had not the right to select her own husband, but must accept the man chosen as most worthy by her father. Each year the tribes of the district met to discuss matters of importance, and at .these gatherings Hinemoa and Tutanekai met and fell deeply in love. Tutanekai was the son of old Whakane, chief of the Island of Mokoia. The father of the Maori princess would not hear of the match, however, and prevent Hinemoa from escaping to the island made sure that each night the canoes were drawn up on to the beach, where it would be impossible for a maiden to launch them. Tutanekai thought often of Hinemoa and would climb a little hill on hil island home and there play the flute so that its sweet music could steal across the waters to the mainland. At last Hinemoa decided that N jt would be better to risk death by drowning than be separated from her hero. One evening she told her parents that she was going to the Whare Tapere, where the young people gathered to play games and learn the poi and haka. Instead, however, she went to the storehouse and, obtaining two calabashes, filled up the holes and, using these as floats beneath her armpits, set out on her great swim to Mokoia Island. Arriving there Hinemoa heard a man approaching and took shelter in the warm pool now known as Hinennoa's Bath. She discovered that the man was a servant of Tutanekai who had come to draw water for his master. As the servant passed the pool on his return journey Hinemoa asked in a deep voice for a drink. She was handed the calabash, but immediately broke it. A second and third calabash was taken from the servant, who then reported the matter to Tutanekai. Greatly enraged at the man who would insult him by breaking his calabashes, the son of the chief snatched up his war club and went in search of his enemy Great was his joy when he learnt that the breaking of the calabashes was Hinemoa's means of attracting his attention. Next morning a fleet of canoes was seen approaching Mokoia Island and Tutanekai and his people prepared for a great fight. By some — t means, however, peace was made and / JJ Tutanekai and his bride were allowed to live in happiness ever after.