# Polynesian Mythology — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Polynesian Mythology by George Grey.

- [Preface to the First Edition](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/preface-to-the-first-edition.md): The author, a British Governor in New Zealand, explains his motivation for learning the Māori language and collecting their ancient poems, legends, and mythology. He describes the challenges of governing during a rebelli
- [Preface to the Second Edition](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/preface-to-the-second-edition.md): Sir George Grey reflects on the thirty years since the first edition, noting the deaths of many Māori chiefs who assisted him, the impact of war, and the preservation of Māori legends, poems, and histories. He details th
- [Polynesian Mythology](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/polynesian-mythology.md): An overview of Polynesian mythology, covering creation stories, heroic figures, and cultural narratives that explain the origins of the world, the exploits of demigods like Māui and Tāwhaki, and the migrations that shape
- [The Children of Heaven and Earth](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-children-of-heaven-and-earth.md): This chapter recounts the Māori creation tradition of Rangi (Heaven) and Papa (Earth), who were originally joined in darkness. Their children, led by Tānemahuta, debate whether to slay or separate their parents to bring 
- [The Legend of Māui](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-legend-of-m-ui.md): Māui discovers his mother Taranga and his brothers, learns of his birth and survival, seeks his father Makeatutara, and attempts to conquer death by entering Hinenuitepō. The water-wagtail's laughter wakes the goddess, c
- [The Legend of Tāwhaki](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-legend-of-t-whaki.md): This chapter recounts the deeds of Tāwhaki, son of Hema and Urutonga, who survives an assassination attempt by his brothers-in-law, calls down a flood to destroy them, and then seeks revenge against the Ponaturi for the 
- [The Legend of Rupe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-legend-of-rupe.md): Hinauri, after being lost at sea, is rescued by two brothers, becomes the wife of Tinirau, and kills his other wives with an incantation. Her brother Māuimua (Rupe) ascends through ten heavens to seek Rehua's help, trans
- [The Legend of Kae's Theft of the Whale](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-legend-of-kae-s-theft-of-the-whale.md): Kae, an old magician, is invited by Tinirau to perform enchantments over his newborn son Tūhuruhuru. After tasting the flesh of Tinirau's pet whale Tutunui, Kae tricks Tinirau into lending him the whale for his journey h
- [The Legend of Tūwhakararo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-legend-of-t-whakararo.md): Tūwhakararo is murdered and devoured by the Āti Hāpai tribe after a wrestling match. His brother Whakataupōtiki leads a massive war party to avenge him, using cunning and a surprise attack to burn the house Uru-o-Manono 
- [The Legend of Rātā](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-legend-of-r-t.md): Rātā, son of Wahieroa, avenges his father's murder by slaying Matuku-takotako, then seeks his father's bones. After felling a sacred tree, the offspring of Tāne restore it and eventually build him a canoe. Rātā uses the 
- [The Legend of Toitehuatahi and Tamatekapua](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-legend-of-toitehuatahi-and-tamatekapua.md): This chapter recounts the escalating conflict in Hawaiki between the families of Toitehuatahi and Uenuku on one side, and Houmaitawhiti and his sons Tamatekapua and Whakatūria on the other. The dispute begins when Toiteh
- [The Legend of Poutini and Whaiapu](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-legend-of-poutini-and-whaiapu.md): This chapter recounts the story of Poutini, a taniwha (guardian spirit) of pounamu (greenstone), and his pursuit of Whaiapu, a beautiful woman. The tale explains the origins of pounamu deposits in the South Island of New
- [The Discovery of New Zealand](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-discovery-of-new-zealand.md): Ngāhue, driven by conflict with Hine-tū-a-hōanga over his jade stone Poutini, flees to Aotearoa (New Zealand). After seeking a peaceful haven, he settles the stone at Arahura, then returns to Hawaiki with reports of a ne
- [Construction of Canoes to Emigrate to New Zealand](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/construction-of-canoes-to-emigrate-to-new-zealand.md): This chapter describes the felling of a tōtara tree in Rarotonga to build the Arawa canoe, the involvement of skilled men including Rātā, Wahieroa, Ngāhue, and Parata, and the subsequent construction of other great canoe
- [The Voyage to New Zealand](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-voyage-to-new-zealand.md): Tamatekapua tricks Ngātoroirangi and his wife Kearoa into boarding the Arawa, then abandons Ruaeo and steals his wife Whakaotirangi. The Arawa sails away, and Ngātoro later climbs the roof to look for land, tying a strin
- [The Curse of Manaia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-curse-of-manaia.md): Manaia beats and curses his wife Kuiwai for undercooked food, insulting her brother Ngātoroirangi. Kuiwai sends her daughter and other women with gods to seek Ngātoroirangi's aid. Ngātoroirangi returns to Hawaiki, defeat
- [The Legend of Hatupatu and His Brothers](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-legend-of-hatupatu-and-his-brothers.md): Hatupatu, the youngest brother, is mistreated by his elder brothers Hānui and Hāroa during a bird-snaring expedition. He steals and eats their preserved birds, then fakes an attack by a war party. When his deception is d
- [Legend of the Emigration of Turi](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/legend-of-the-emigration-of-turi.md): This chapter recounts the events leading to Turi's emigration from Hawaiki to New Zealand, beginning with the murder of his relative's son Pōtikiroroa by the high priest Uenuku. In revenge, Turi kills Uenuku's son Hawepō
- [Legend of the Emigration of Manaia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/legend-of-the-emigration-of-manaia.md): Manaia, after his wife Rongotiki is assaulted by his workmen, discovers the betrayal through a sign while fishing. He exacts revenge by ambushing and killing the offenders, including chief Tupenu. Continuous retaliatory 
- [The Story of Hinemoa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-story-of-hinemoa.md): Hinemoa, a high-born maiden of Rotorua, falls in love with Tūtānekai, an illegitimate son of Whakaue. Despite her family's attempts to keep them apart, Hinemoa swims across Lake Rotorua guided by the sound of Tūtānekai's
- [The Story of Marutūāhu, the Son of Hotunui, and of Kahureremoa, the Daughter of Paka](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-story-of-marut-hu-the-son-of-hotunui-and-of-kahureremoa-the-daughter-of-paka.md): Hotunui, a chief who arrived on the Tainui canoe, settles at Wakatīwai after being falsely accused of theft. He leaves his pregnant wife, instructing her to name the child Marutūāhu if a boy. Marutūāhu later journeys to 
- [The Two Sorcerers](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-two-sorcerers.md): A tale of magical rivalry between the sorcerer Kiki, whose shadow withers plants, and the visiting chief Tāmure, who uses protective incantations and cunning to defeat Kiki in a contest of sorcery, ultimately causing Kik
- [The Magical Wooden Head](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-magical-wooden-head.md): Hakawau, a powerful sorcerer, sets out to confront Puarata and Tautōhito, whose magical wooden head has been killing all who approach their fortress on the Sacred Mount. Through his own enchantments and genii, Hakawau de
- [The Art of Netting Learned by Kāhukura from the Fairies](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-art-of-netting-learned-by-k-hukura-from-the-fairies.md): Kāhukura, a fair-skinned man, visits Rangiaowhia and discovers signs of fairy fishing. He returns at night, joins the fairies in hauling their net, and by tricking them into helping him string fish, delays them until daw
- [Te Kanawa’s Adventure with a Troop of Fairies](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/te-kanawa-s-adventure-with-a-troop-of-fairies.md): Te Kanawa, a Waikato chief, encounters a troop of fairies on Pukemore while hunting kiwi. Terrified, he offers his jade ornaments to appease them. The fairies take only the patterns of the jewels and leave, allowing Te K
- [The Loves of Takarangi and Raumahora](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-loves-of-takarangi-and-raumahora.md): A war between the Taranaki and Ngāti Awa tribes besieges the pā of Rangirarunga. His daughter Raumahora's beauty is renowned, and the enemy chief's son Takarangi, moved by compassion and love, defies his own warriors to 
- [Stratagem of Puhihuia’s Elopement with Te Ponga](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/stratagem-of-puhihuia-s-elopement-with-te-ponga.md): Te Ponga, a chief from Āwhitu, visits the fortified town of Maungawhau (Mount Eden) after a peace is made with the Waikato and Āwhitu tribes. During a dance, he falls in love with Puhihuia, the chief's daughter. They sec
- [The History of Pāoa, the Ancestor of the Ngāti Pāoa Tribe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-history-of-p-oa-the-ancestor-of-the-ng-ti-p-oa-tribe.md): Pāoa, ancestor of the Ngāti Pāoa tribe, journeys from the south in search of his estranged wife, traveling through many regions including Taupō, Tongariro, Taranaki, and Waikato. Unable to find her, he settles at Kaitote
- [Appendix I: On the Native Songs of New Zealand](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/appendix-i-on-the-native-songs-of-new-zealand.md): This appendix examines the musical scales and intervals found in Māori songs, comparing them to the enharmonic, chromatic, and diatonic genera of ancient Greek music. The author argues that Māori music retains natural, u
- [Appendix II: On New Zealand and Polynesian Ethnology](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/appendix-ii-on-new-zealand-and-polynesian-ethnology.md): Sir George Grey presents a paper on the social life of ancient New Zealanders, using the legend of Chief Pāoa to illustrate their hospitality, courage, and heroic qualities. He compares Māori social structures and fairy 
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/endnotes.md): The endnotes provide supplementary commentary, citations, and clarifications on various Māori traditions, including the defence of Ōrākau, the origin of malicious spirits, the story of Māui and Irawaru, and references to
- [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations.md): This chapter presents a series of musical notations and examples, including enharmonic tetrachords, quarter tones, chromatic and diatonic progressions, and vocal pieces such as 'He Waiata Aroha' and 'Whakarongo Child’s S

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters