# Polynesian Mythology — Character guide

> Key figures in Polynesian Mythology by George Grey.

- [Māui](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/maui.md): A demigod and trickster hero who performs great feats and seeks immortality.
- [Pāoa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/paoa.md): An ancestor of the Ngāti Pāoa tribe, central to a narrative of loss and migration.
- [Hatupatu](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/hatupatu.md): A young hero who escapes from the bird-woman Kurangaituku and later triumphs.
- [Manaia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/manaia.md): A chief who curses his enemies and leads an emigration to New Zealand.
- [Tāwhaki](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tawhaki.md): A legendary hero who ascends to the heavens to seek revenge and knowledge.
- [Turi](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/turi.md): A chief who emigrates from Hawaiki to New Zealand aboard the Aotea canoe.
- [Whakatau](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/whakatau.md): A cunning hero and warrior who avenges his kin through trickery and magic.
- [Rātā](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/rata.md): A hero who builds a canoe and battles supernatural beings to complete his quest.
- [Tūtānekai](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tutanekai.md): A young warrior who wins the love of Hinemoa through flute-playing and daring.
- [Ngātoro](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/ngatoro.md): A priest and navigator who guides the Arawa canoe to New Zealand.
- [Tūmatauenga](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tumatauenga.md): The god of war and human activities, a son of Rangi and Papa.
- [Rupe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/rupe.md): A brother of Māui who transforms into a pigeon and rescues his sister.
- [Tamatekapua](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tamatekapua.md): The cunning captain of the Arawa canoe during the migration to New Zealand.
- [Horowhenua](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/horowhenua.md): A chief and ancestor involved in the story of the Arawa migration.
- [Hakawau](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/hakawau.md): A sorcerer who uses magic to defeat enemies and protect his people.
- [Marutūāhu](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/marutuahu.md): A son of Hotunui who becomes a great warrior and ancestor of a tribe.
- [Hotunui](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/hotunui.md): A chief who travels to the Waikato and fathers Marutūāhu.
- [Te Ponga](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/te_ponga.md): A warrior who elopes with Puhihuia after a clever stratagem.
- [Tukutuku](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tukutuku.md): A young woman who plays a role in the story of Hatupatu.
- [Kupe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/kupe.md): The legendary discoverer of New Zealand who chased a giant octopus.
- [Kae](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/kae.md): A man who steals the whale Tutunui and is punished by Tinirau.
- [Hinemoa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/hinemoa.md): A beautiful maiden who swims across a lake to be with her lover Tūtānekai.
- [Īhenga](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/ihenga.md): A grandson of Tamatekapua who explores and names places in New Zealand.
- [Tinirau](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tinirau.md): A chief who owns a pet whale and seeks revenge on Kae for killing it.
- [Ngātoroirangi](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/ngatoroirangi.md): A high priest who calls on fire from the gods to survive on a mountain.
- [Whakatūria](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/whakat%C5%ABria.md): A figure in the story of the Arawa canoe migration.
- [Uenuku](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/uenuku.md): A god of rainbows and a chief in Hawaiki involved in conflicts.
- [Rua](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/rua.md): A chief who builds a house and is involved in a story of revenge.
- [Hinauri](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/hinauri.md): A sister of Māui who marries and faces tragic events.
- [Irawaru](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/irawaru.md): A man transformed into a dog by Māui in a fit of jealousy.
- [Tūwhakararo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tuwhaakararo.md): A warrior killed in revenge, sparking a cycle of conflict.
- [Ngāhue](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/ngahue.md): A chief who discovers greenstone in New Zealand and brings it back.
- [Tāwhirimātea](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tawhirimatea.md): The god of winds and storms who wars against his brothers.
- [Tangaroa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tangaroa.md): The god of the sea and father of fish and reptiles.
- [Rehua](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/rehua.md): A powerful being in the heavens who hosts Tāwhaki.
- [Kahureremoa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/kahureremoa.md): A daughter of Paka who marries Marutūāhu.
- [Tāmure](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tamure.md): A chief who fights in the wars of the Arawa people.
- [Matuku-takotako](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/matuku_takotako.md): A monstrous bird slain by Whakatau in a cave.
- [Te Kanawa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/te_kanawa.md): A man who encounters fairies and learns from them.
- [Takarangi](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/takarangi.md): A chief who falls in love with Raumahora in a famous romance.
- [Raumahora](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/raumahora.md): A woman loved by Takarangi, central to a romantic legend.
- [Kāhukura](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/kahukura.md): A man who learns the art of net-making from fairies.
- [Rangitu](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/rangitu.md): A figure in the story of the Arawa canoe.
- [Tangotango](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tangotango.md): A woman who marries Tāwhaki and later returns to the heavens.
- [Whakataupōtiki](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/whakataupotiki.md): A warrior who avenges the death of Tūwhakararo.
- [Takakōpiri](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/takakopiri.md): A chief involved in the story of the Arawa migration.
- [Puhihuia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/puhihuia.md): A woman who elopes with Te Ponga after a clever plan.
- [Whakaue](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/whakaue.md): A chief and ancestor of the Te Arawa people.
- [Ruaeo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/ruaeo.md): A chief who fights in the wars of the Arawa.
- [Kuiwai](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/kuiwai.md): A woman who brings the kumara to New Zealand.
- [Kurangaituku](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/kurangaituku.md): A bird-woman who captures Hatupatu and is later tricked by him.
- [Raumati](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/raumati.md): A chief involved in the story of the Arawa canoe.
- [Hine-i-te-iwaiwa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/hineiteiwaiwa.md): A goddess of weaving and a wife of Māui.
- [Karihi](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/karihi.md): A brother of Tāwhaki who fails in the ascent to heaven.
- [Ponaturi](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/ponaturi.md): A race of supernatural beings who are tricked and destroyed by Tāwhaki.
- [Taikehu](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/taikehu.md): A chief on the Arawa canoe during the migration.
- [Haungaroa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/haungaroa.md): A woman who accompanies the Arawa migration.
- [Tūtewehiwehi](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tutewehiwehi.md): A chief who fights in the wars of the Arawa.
- [Hinenuitepō](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/hinenuitepo.md): The goddess of death who confronts Māui in his final quest.
- [Apakura](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/apakura.md): A woman who mourns her son and seeks revenge.
- [Tatau](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tatau.md): A chief involved in the story of the Arawa canoe.
- [Hīoi](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/hioi.md): A chief who appears in the story of the Arawa migration.
- [Toi](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/toi.md): An ancient ancestor who searches for his grandson across the Pacific.
- [Rangitihi](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/rangitihi.md): A chief and ancestor of the Te Arawa people.
- [Hoturapa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/hoturapa.md): A man killed by Tamatekapua to steal his wife.
- [Tānemahuta](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tanemahuta.md): The god of forests and birds who separates heaven and earth.
- [Wahieroa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/wahieroa.md): A chief killed by Matuku-takotako, avenged by his son Rātā.
- [Hawepōtiki](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/hawepotiki.md): A child killed in the story of Hatupatu.
- [Mangōpare](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/mangopare.md): A chief who appears in the story of the Arawa migration.
- [Tuau](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tuau.md): A chief involved in the story of the Arawa canoe.
- [Te Paka](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/te_paka.md): A chief who fathers Kahureremoa and fights Marutūāhu.
- [Tiki-tawhito-ariki](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tiki_tawhito_ariki.md): A legendary figure who creates the first woman.
- [Rongorongo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/rongorongo.md): A woman who marries Turi and accompanies him to New Zealand.
- [Hou](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/hou.md): A chief who appears in the story of the Arawa migration.
- [Toto](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/toto.md): A woman who gives the Aotea canoe to Turi.

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