Polynesian Mythology · Chapter
Legend of the Emigration of Turi explained
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.
What happens
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 Hawepōtiki and serves his heart to Uenuku. After discovering Uenuku's plot for revenge, Turi and his family, along with others, escape on the canoe Aotea. The voyage includes conflicts, sacrifices, and the loss of the canoe Rīrino. They eventually reach New Zealand, where Turi names places and introduces karaka trees along the route to Pātea.
Themes in this chapter
Migration and Discovery
The chapter focuses on Turi's voyage from Hawaiki to New Zealand, including the challenges of navigation, the loss of the canoe Rīrino, and the naming of places along the coast.
Conflict and Reconciliation
The story begins with a cycle of revenge between Turi and Uenuku, leading to the killing of children and the eventual escape of Turi's party.
Resistance and Resilience
Turi and his people demonstrate resilience through the dangerous ocean voyage, performing rituals and sacrifices to appease the gods and overcome obstacles.
Characters to notice
- Turi
The ancestor of the Whanganui tribes, who avenges the death of Pōtikiroroa by killing Uenuku's son Hawepōtiki and later leads the emigration to New Zealand on the canoe Aotea.
- Uenuku
An ariki (chief high priest) who eats the boy Pōtikiroroa after a bad omen, and later unknowingly eats his own son's heart, vowing revenge.
- Hawepōtiki
The little son of Uenuku, killed and eaten by Turi and his friends as revenge for Pōtikiroroa's death.
- Rongorongo
Turi's wife, who overhears Uenuku chanting a war poem and warns Turi of the impending danger.
- Tuau
Turi's brother-in-law, who is tricked into boarding the Aotea and carried off against his will during the voyage.
- Kupe
The explorer who previously visited New Zealand and advised Turi to sail toward the rising sun, and described the river Pātea.
Key passages
“Oh! let the tribes be summoned from the south, Oh! let the tribes be summoned from the north; Let Ngāti Ruanui come in force; Let Ngāti Rongotea's warriors too be there, That we may all our foes destroy, And sweep them utterly away. Oh, they ate one far nobler than themselves.”
Uenuku chants a war song calling for the tribes to gather and destroy his enemies, referring to the eating of his son.
This chant reveals Uenuku's plan for revenge after discovering he ate his own son's heart.
“You are as obstinate as Potoru, who persisted in rushing on to his own destruction.”
This proverb compares stubbornness to Potoru, who insisted on sailing westward and caused the loss of the canoe Rīrino.
The proverb originates from the argument between Turi and Potoru about the direction of the voyage.
“The Aotea’s valuable freight.”
A proverb referring to the precious cargo carried on the canoe Aotea, including seeds, sweet potatoes, karaka stones, rats, parrots, and pūkeko.
This highlights the importance of the items brought to New Zealand for settlement.