# Polynesian Mythology — Character guide

> Key figures in Polynesian Mythology by George Grey.

- [Māui](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/maui.md): Māui is the trickster-hero whose feats and schemes ripple through Polynesian tradition, from outwitting his brother-in-law Irawaru to fishing up islands. His defining tension is between his extraordinary power and his re
- [Pāoa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/paoa.md): Pāoa is a chief whose wife flees in shame after being mistreated, and his long search carries him from village to village, from Taupō to Tongariro to the Waikato, with only his faithful slave for company. His devotion is
- [Hatupatu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/hatupatu.md): Hatupatu is a youth whose story pits human ingenuity against a supernatural captor, the bird-woman Kurangaituku, who keeps him in her lair. His escape depends on quick thinking and knowledge of the land, and his eventual
- [Manaia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/manaia.md): Manaia is a chief of Hawaiki whose gathering of neighbors to make spears ends in the rape of his wife Rongotiki, setting off a cycle of vengeance and counter-vengeance. He discovers a hidden son, Kahukakanui, in the mids
- [Tāwhaki](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tawhaki.md): Tāwhaki is a hero whose story moves from earthly struggles to the skies, where he is said to dwell still, worshipped as a god whose footsteps cause thunder and lightning. His ascent is driven by the need for revenge and 
- [Turi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/turi.md): Turi is a chief of Hawaiki on the verge of fleeing Uenuku's vengeance when Kupe's discoveries give him a destination. He heeds Kupe's instructions to steer ever eastward, loads the Aotea with seed, sweet potatoes, karaka
- [Whakatau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/whakatau.md): Whakatau is raised by his ancestor Rongotakawiu, who teaches him every kind of enchantment, and his childhood is spent playing a strange game: flying kites while running along the bottom of the waters, only to slip back 
- [Rātā](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/rata.md): Rātā grows up knowing his father Wahieroa was treacherously slain by Matuku-takotako, a monster who lives beneath the ground and rises with the new moon to eat men. He travels to the entrance of the ogre's lair and quest
- [Tūtānekai](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tutanekai.md): Tūtānekai is the son of a chief and lives on Mokoia Island, where he plays his flute in the evenings; the music drifts over the water to Hinemoa, a woman of rank forbidden to marry him. The tension is not battle but cust
- [Ngātoro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/ngatoro.md): Ngātoro belongs to the generation of great voyagers, alongside Kupe and Turi, who read the sky and sea and guide their people from Hawaiki to Aotearoa. His authority rests on sacred knowledge — the incantations and navig
- [Tūmatauenga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tumatauenga.md): Tūmatauenga is one of the many children of Heaven and Earth, cramped in the darkness between their embrace, and when the brothers debate whether to separate their parents, he is the one who urges killing them outright. H
- [Rupe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/rupe.md): Rupe moves between the world of men and the sky, and his power is transformation — he becomes a kererū, a native pigeon, to fly where no canoe can reach. His loyalty to his sister drives him to leave the familiar world a
- [Tamatekapua](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tamatekapua.md): Tamatekapua commands the Arawa on its voyage to New Zealand, but his genius for seamanship is matched only by his appetite for other men's property and wives. He steals Rua's goods and Whakaotirangi, then tricks Ngātoro 
- [Horowhenua](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/horowhenua.md): A chief and ancestor involved in the story of the Arawa migration.
- [Hakawau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/hakawau.md): A sorcerer who uses magic to defeat enemies and protect his people.
- [Marutūāhu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/marutuahu.md): Raised by his mother in Kāwhia after Hotunui fled a false accusation, Marutūāhu grows into a young man 'as handsome as the beautiful crested cormorant.' When he finally reaches Hauraki, two sisters quarrel over which of 
- [Hotunui](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/hotunui.md): Hotunui arrives from beyond the ocean in the Tainui canoe and settles at Kāwhia, but a thief's footprints — erased by his own unusually large feet — get him accused of robbing a friend's storehouse. Too ashamed to stay, 
- [Te Ponga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/te_ponga.md): Te Ponga arrives at a village where his agility in the dance so dazzles the crowd that Puhihuia conceives a warm passion for him. Unable to sleep for love, he follows his slave's plan: feign a furious thirst, shout for w
- [Tukutuku](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tukutuku.md): A young woman who plays a role in the story of Hatupatu.
- [Kupe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/kupe.md): Kupe explores the islands, names the Kōkako and Tīwaiwaka, and leaves his marks on the land as proof he was there — but he himself sails home, finding Turi and his people still dwelling in Hawaiki. When Turi prepares the
- [Kae](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/kae.md): A man who steals the whale Tutunui and is punished by Tinirau.
- [Hinemoa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/hinemoa.md): Hinemoa is a beautiful chief's daughter whose love for Tūtānekai is thwarted when her family hauls every canoe ashore to keep her from him. Guided only by the soft measure of his trumpet across the water, she takes six d
- [Īhenga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/ihenga.md): A grandson of Tamatekapua who explores and names places in New Zealand.
- [Tinirau](https://www.betterreads.dev/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.dev/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.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/whakat%C5%ABria.md): A figure in the story of the Arawa canoe migration.
- [Uenuku](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/uenuku.md): A god of rainbows and a chief in Hawaiki involved in conflicts.
- [Rua](https://www.betterreads.dev/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.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/hinauri.md): A sister of Māui who marries and faces tragic events.
- [Irawaru](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/irawaru.md): A man transformed into a dog by Māui in a fit of jealousy.
- [Ngāhue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/ngahue.md): A chief who discovers greenstone in New Zealand and brings it back.
- [Tāwhirimātea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tawhirimatea.md): The god of winds and storms who wars against his brothers.
- [Tangaroa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tangaroa.md): The god of the sea and father of fish and reptiles.
- [Rehua](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/rehua.md): A powerful being in the heavens who hosts Tāwhaki.
- [Kahureremoa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/kahureremoa.md): A daughter of Paka who marries Marutūāhu.
- [Matuku-takotako](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/matuku_takotako.md): A monstrous bird slain by Whakatau in a cave.
- [Te Kanawa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/te_kanawa.md): A man who encounters fairies and learns from them.
- [Takarangi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/takarangi.md): A chief who falls in love with Raumahora in a famous romance.
- [Raumahora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/raumahora.md): A woman loved by Takarangi, central to a romantic legend.
- [Kāhukura](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/kahukura.md): A man who learns the art of net-making from fairies.
- [Rangitu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/rangitu.md): A figure in the story of the Arawa canoe.
- [Tangotango](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tangotango.md): A woman who marries Tāwhaki and later returns to the heavens.
- [Takakōpiri](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/takakopiri.md): A chief involved in the story of the Arawa migration.
- [Puhihuia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/puhihuia.md): A woman who elopes with Te Ponga after a clever plan.
- [Whakaue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/whakaue.md): A chief and ancestor of the Te Arawa people.
- [Ruaeo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/ruaeo.md): A chief who fights in the wars of the Arawa.
- [Kuiwai](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/kuiwai.md): A woman who brings the kumara to New Zealand.
- [Kurangaituku](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/kurangaituku.md): A bird-woman who captures Hatupatu and is later tricked by him.
- [Māuitaha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/mauitaha.md): One of the brothers of Māui.
- [Hine-i-te-iwaiwa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/hineiteiwaiwa.md): A goddess of weaving and a wife of Māui.
- [Ponaturi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/ponaturi.md): A race of supernatural beings who are tricked and destroyed by Tāwhaki.
- [Tatau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tatau.md): A chief involved in the story of the Arawa canoe.
- [Hīoi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/hioi.md): A chief who appears in the story of the Arawa migration.
- [Toi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/toi.md): An ancient ancestor who searches for his grandson across the Pacific.
- [Hoturapa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/hoturapa.md): A man killed by Tamatekapua to steal his wife.
- [Tānemahuta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tanemahuta.md): The god of forests and birds who separates heaven and earth.
- [Tutunui](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tutunui.md): A pet whale of Tinirau killed by Kae.
- [Wahieroa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/wahieroa.md): A chief killed by Matuku-takotako, avenged by his son Rātā.
- [Tuau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tuau.md): A chief involved in the story of the Arawa canoe.
- [Te Paka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/te_paka.md): A chief who fathers Kahureremoa and fights Marutūāhu.
- [Tiki-tawhito-ariki](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/tiki_tawhito_ariki.md): A legendary figure who creates the first woman.
- [Hou](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/hou.md): A chief who appears in the story of the Arawa migration.

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