TITIRANGI

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23058, 8 June 1938, Page 17

TITIRANGI

Sir, —In your issue of June 3 "M.C.T." gives the meaning of the name Titirangi as "fringe of the sky." According to the Maoris of the West Coast at Waitakere, the meaning is "Titi," a species of mutton bird, and "rangi" tho sky, or in their own words, "the place where they heard the mutton birds flying at night." Tho mutton birds nested in the ranges, and the Maoris went there for them. I do not know if the birds are to bo found there to-day, but the Maoris would not see the range us a fringe when looking from the West Coast. I do not agree with "M.C.T.'s" meaning of Rangitoto. T have always heard the Maoris using Rangitoto for "scoria," and that is the meaning given by "Williams"—scoria or black lava. A. O'N. Sir, —I should like to correct some of tho statements made by "M.C.T." in your issue of Juno 3. It'is definitely wrong to state that the Maori hns not tho pakoha's "romantic ideas" of heaven. Among its many meanings "Rangi" means sky, heaven, upper regions, or "abode of supernatural beings." "M.C.T." could get plenty of evidence that the Maori has, and always had, definite ideas of a spiritual heaven. Titirangi means "mutton-bird from heaven." As the nakeha would say "fish from the seas" or "daisies from the field," so the Maori says "Titirangi." Nor is "M.C.T.'s" definition of Rangitoto strictly correct; the true meaning is "Bloody Heaven" or "Heaven of Blood." Nothing mean or little is given the name of "Rangi," but lofty, commanding, or inspiring persons or places. Long years ago a Maori standing on the shores of tho Waitemata saw the lofty peak of the island red in the rays o&ajsim rising from a windy and stormy horizon, and he exclaimed: "Rangitoto!" or, if one wishes: the lofty red peak stretching up to heaven—the land or dwellingplace of gods and spirits. To state that the Maori, who guided the canoes across the Pacific by the sun and stars of the heavens, would have no "romantic" ideas about heaven is childish. T.W.