# Rātā — Polynesian Mythology character guide

> Rātā in Polynesian Mythology by George Grey.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** So Rātā, Te Rātā

**First appearance:** 0009-the-legend-of-r-t

## Snapshot

A son born before his father's murder, Rātā must descend into the earth to kill the moon-rising ogre who devoured him.

## Who they are

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 questions the watchman left there, learning the two fountains where Matuku washes and combs his hair — and the fatal rule that he can only be struck at one of them, since the other would betray Rātā's shadow. His patient, tactical approach to vengeance sets the tone for the legendary adventures that follow, including the enchanted tree and the canoe that builds itself.

## Relationships

### [Matuku-takotako](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/matuku_takotako)

_rivalry_

Matuku-takotako is a monstrous bird slain by Rātā in a heroic quest.

### [Matuku-takotako](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/matuku_takotako)

_rivalry_

Matuku-takotako is a monstrous bird slain by Rātā in a heroic quest.

## In the story

### [The Legend of Rātā](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-legend-of-r-t)

Protagonist who avenges his father's death and recovers his bones.

### [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)

One of the builders of the Arawa canoe; also slew the son of Manaia.

## Links

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