# Manaia — Polynesian Mythology character guide

> Manaia in Polynesian Mythology by George Grey.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Hawaiki, Ko Manaia

**First appearance:** 0018-legend-of-the-emigration-of-manaia

## Snapshot

A chief whose wife is violated by the very workers he summoned, and who turns his grief into a voyage of emigration after avenging the crime.

## Who they are

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 midst of battle, and with his wife's incantations he kills the fleeing Tupenu. As his warriors dwindle under relentless attacks, he chooses to abandon his homeland and sail the Tokomaru toward a new country, even sacrificing his reluctant brother-in-law to the gods. His story is the collection's clearest portrait of how personal outrage becomes the engine of migration.

## Relationships

### [Ngātoro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/ngatoro)

_rivalry_

Manaia and Ngātoro are bitter enemies, often clashing over land and honor.

### [Kuiwai](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/kuiwai)

_family_

Kuiwai is Manaia's wife, often caught in the middle of his conflicts.

### [Kuiwai](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/kuiwai)

_family_

Kuiwai is Manaia's wife, often caught in the middle of his conflicts.

### [Ngātoro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/ngatoro)

_rivalry_

Manaia and Ngātoro are bitter enemies, often clashing over land and honor.

### [Ngātoro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/ngatoro)

_rivalry_

Manaia and Ngātoro are bitter enemies, often clashing over land and honor.

## In the story

### [Construction of Canoes to Emigrate to New Zealand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/construction-of-canoes-to-emigrate-to-new-zealand)

His son was slain by Rātā and hidden in canoe shavings.

### [The Curse of Manaia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-curse-of-manaia)

Powerful chief who curses his wife Kuiwai and her brother Ngātoroirangi after undercooked food at a tapu removal ceremony.

### [Legend of the Emigration of Manaia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/legend-of-the-emigration-of-manaia)

Protagonist and ancestor of Ngāti Awa; seeks revenge after his wife is assaulted, then emigrates to New Zealand.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/manaia
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters