The Story of Hine Kuku and Te Moananui by S. C. Brooking Beyond the sombre mountain range of Pukeamaru, above the waters of the Onematariki stream, there rises a dark and towering cliff. There is little now to show that an inland pa once occupied the plateau on the summit of the cliff, for today the bush has won back what man had long years before taken from it. Today there remain only the dim ruined outlines of defences, and only one memory still lives from the uncounted years. Long before the white man came, a young Chief named Te Moananui lived on the low lands by the sea, near the mouth of the Karakatuwhero river. A young man of some 20 years, he was straight, tall and of a mighty frame. He was quiet and reserved and spent most of his time alone, fishing and hunting and setting snares to take pigeons. One day, while fishing for eels, Te Moananui followed the waters of the Karakatuwhero inland. He followed its course for a long distance, sleeping beside it at night. The main tributary, the Onematariki, took him westward to the mountain range of Pukeamaru, and he found himself at the foot of a mighty cliff that rose dark and forbidding from the stream. He had not gone much further when suddenly to his astonishment he saw a maiden standing beside one of the pools, where she must have been bathing. When she heard him, she quickly turned round in fear. He called to her gently, telling her to have no fear, that he had wandered there while searching for eels. He made no attempt to come closer to the maiden, who watched him intently. She wore a korowai of beautiful pigeon and kaka feathers, and in her hair, which fell to her waist, was a crimson rata flower. ‘O maiden, tell me your name, and where it is that you dwell.’ She pointed to the summit of the cliff and answered, ‘I live with my father and his people there, and I am called Hine Kuku. From where do you come, stranger?’ Te Moananui pointed across the hills. ‘I come from my home by the calling sea. My name is Te Moananui.’ When the maiden saw his gentle manner, his great strength, and his tall stature, like that of a high stately miro tree, her heart was won. Another moon waxed and waned after their meeting. Then, in the mountains, the lone watcher on the heights called to those within the pallisades: ‘A stranger comes, he comes alone.’ Rangihau, the aged chief, the father of Hine Kuku, took up his fighting taiaha and came to the watcher's side. ‘Move back from the gateway and allow him to enter.’ Then Te Moananui appeared, boldly entering through the open gateway. He came forward to a space before the chief and stood silent. The chief looked at the youth, and saw his mighty strength. ‘Who are you and from where do you come? What do you seek among these lonely hills?’ ‘I am known among my people as Te Moananui. I come from my home by the calling sea to seek this maiden, your daughter, as my wife.’ A murmur ran through the assembled people who stood behind their chief. Rangihau was silent for a moment, then he spoke. ‘I cannot have you slain as I would wish, for you come alone and stand unarmed. But listen to my words, bold youth. When my daughter seeks a mate, one of my people will be found for her. Stranger to these hills, go back to your home by the sea. Go, for my child Hine Kuku will never sleep upon your breast.’ ‘O chief, ponder your words. I have never yet sought to wed a maiden other than Hine Kuku, and I will never do so. She alone has my heart.’ Hine Kuku stood silent among the maidens, her head bowed. The chief stretched forth his arm, ‘Go, before I kill you’. Te Moananui answered, ‘This, O chief, you have already done. I cannot but obey the