# Stratagem of Puhihuia’s Elopement with Te Ponga explained — Polynesian Mythology

> Chapter companion for Polynesian Mythology by George Grey.

## What happens

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 secretly meet at a fountain and plan to elope. Te Ponga's men prepare a canoe and sabotage the other canoes. The next day, as Te Ponga departs, Puhihuia runs away with him, and they escape by canoe, leaving the pursuers unable to follow.

## Themes in this chapter

### Conflict and Reconciliation

The chapter begins with a fierce war between the tribes of Āwhitu/Waikato and the people of Maungawhau, which is resolved through a peace treaty, though the peace is later exploited for elopement.

### Social Structure and Equality

The story highlights the roles of chiefs, the hospitality customs, and the agency of Puhihuia as a chieftainess who chooses her own partner, reflecting social hierarchies and gender dynamics.

## Character check-ins

### Te Ponga

A chief from Āwhitu who visits Maungawhau after a peace treaty and falls in love with Puhihuia, orchestrating their elopement.

### Puhihuia

The young daughter of the chief of Maungawhau; she dances before the visitors, captures Te Ponga's heart, and agrees to elope with him.

## Key lines

> Te Ponga, a chief from Āwhitu, and one of the fiercest enemies of the people of that town, went, attended by a large company, to Maungawhau

Te Ponga, a prominent Āwhitu chief who had been a bitter enemy, visited Maungawhau with a large group.

_Describes the visit after peace was made._

> Puhihuia perceived the proper moment had come, and forth she sprang before the assembled dancers; first she bends her head with many gestures towards the people upon the one side, and then towards those upon the other, as she performed her part beautifully

Puhihuia chose the perfect moment to leap into the dance, gracefully gesturing to both sides of the audience.

_Highlights her skill and timing in the dance._

> Te Ponga answered, 'You are the water that I thirsted for.'

Te Ponga replied that Puhihuia herself was the water he truly desired.

_A romantic metaphor during their meeting at the fountain._

> they dashed their paddles into the water, and shot away, swift as a dart from a string, whilst they felt the sides of the canoe shake from the force with which they drove it through the water

They paddled with great speed, making the canoe vibrate as it shot forward like an arrow.

_Describes their rapid escape by canoe._

## Links

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