THE LEGEND OF AOKEHU, THE TANIWHA SLAYER,

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 2, 1 November 1899, Page 57

THE LEGEND OF AOKEHU, THE TANIWHA SLAYER,

This person, Aokehu, belonged to Whanganui. He crossed the sacred sea of Raukawa (Cook Strait) to the Isle of Aropawa, where be found a tribe living, who were known as the Tini-o-Ngongotaha. He took a wife from that people, one Takauga-matua by name, and there dwelt for a long time. One iky he asked his wife to re- dress his hair, which was tied up in bunches, after the manner of the ancient Maori. She did so, and as she handled his long hair, she said : " What a fine thing to cover our food with." Then the heart of Aokehu became dark within him, for this was an evil saying to a chief, indeed, it was equal to a curse, liut ho kept his anger in check, lest it shonld be observed by those people, and that he might obtain revenge in the days that lay before.

Then the thought grew that he would return to Whanga-nui, in order to greet his old home once more, and also, that his tribe might consent to assist him in avenging the insult received by him.

Then was he heard sighing for the foods of his native land, of Whanga-nui-a-Rua. "Maybe the food of my own place is seen upon the beach at Kokohuia (at Whanganui)."

And the men of the multitude of Ngongotaha asked him : " What are the foods of your home?" " The foods are the kahawai (fish) and dried kumara." They asked : "At what time should we visit your home ? " " When tlie bloom of the rata is seen red from the ocean," replied Aokehu. "It is then that the land breeze will bear to you the fragrance of the kao kumara." So it was that those people resolved to visit the home of Aokehu.

It was then that Aokebu began to hew out a large wooden hwwte (bowl) large enough to contain himself. He made also a cover for it, and carved both in an elaborate manner. And he saw that it was good. In

the sixth moon of the Maori year, the canoes were launched ami the people of Ngoiigt.tiili;i entered them anil went forth upon the Sen of Kaukawa. As they passed Kuugi-tikoi and Turakina, the fragrance of the dried kttmavft was perceived. Off Whanga-obu it was very strong, and the people asked of Aokehn, " What is this that lias so fragrant an odour r " Ho replied, "It is the food of which 1 spoke. Observe the bloom of the ruin how it gleams upon the water. That, is the sign." The tide was flowing when they reached the entrance to the Whanga-niii Miver. Aokehu said to the people of his canoe : "Place me in the kumete and put the cover thereon, carefully caulking all apertures with the first bloom of the raupo. Lot the vessel containing me drift up the river ahead of your canoe, and yon shall see how I hold your safety, how the river shall greet, yon. Even so, Aokehu entered the kmtwltt, the lid was placed on it and all interstices were stopped. Then he was thrown overboard, and drifted up the river in his tub. And the Nanakia, the dread hniiirlut Tutae-poro-poro, scents his prey from afar, and his tongue licks the waters of the Awa-nui-a-litia in anticipation of a least. So he made for the scent of man, and the waters of the river rose around him in great, waves, like unto those of the ocean. And the men of Ngongotaha gazed upon the sight with wonder and great fear. Meanwhile, Aokehu was drifting upstream and repeating his incantations to enable him to overcome this dread monster. When Tutae-poro-poro encountered the wooden tub containing the would-be dvagon slayer, he simply swallowed it, and bold Aokehu was engulfed in the stomach of the monster. But the taniwhn rushed in pursuit of the canoes, he siezed them and the Multitude of Ngongotaha have gone from the World of Life and know death. Never again shall they appear in the Ao M.arama. So Aokehu lay within his Icumelc and busied himself in cutting the lashings thereof, and emerged therefrom and took oat his weapon, the blade studded with sharp teeth

of the shark. With this he cut open the stomach of the taniwha, and that fearsome demon was thus slain, and so drifted to theshove at Tawhauaroa. Then Aokehu, strange man, stepped out of the beast, and his heart was joyful. .For he had avenged the dire insult levelled at him by his wife. The Tini-o-Ngongotaha were no more. Also had he slain the fierce monster that ravaged so long the Great River of Tarawera, and taken toll of many a hapless canoe. Freed from this horror, his people increased and waxed powerful, and spread abroad across far lands. Now, befoi*e Tutae-poro-poro was slain, the whole valley of Whanga-nui was full of water, indeed, only the summits of the hills were seen by the eyes of man. But when the taniwha was slain and his body drifted away, then the waters receded and became low. This monster lived just below the bridge, in a great cave in the river bed. His lurking place may still be seen. And see what a fine river we have now ! Thou Aokehu settled down here. But his fame spread far and wide, and many tribes spoke his name. The men of Rua-nui heard of his great deeds, and sent messengers to ask him to go north, toward Puke-o-naki (ancient name of Mount Egmont) and slay the man-devouring monsters of those hinds. So Aokehu and his party fared northward. They travelled in a peaceful manner, but what was that to the Ngarauru, who attacked them, but were defeated by Aokehu, the 'Dragon Slayer, and his people! Then he sought to destroy the dragons of the north. Ika-roa was killed, and as the morrow dawned, Te Wiwi and Te Wawa fell in death. Thus all three of those fierce beings were slain. They were caught in snares formed of strong ropes of ti fibre, which were placed in the paths frequented by them. Then great joy was i'olt by those people, they were saved from a frightful death, saved by Aokehu. So they took the woman, Takangaiki, and gave her tb Aokehu as wife, and as a token of their gratitude. (Genealogy No. 2, in a later issue). It is also stated that Aokehu slew a taniwha known us Ngahapi.