Origin: New Zealand or Australia
History: Kataore was one of the taniwha that lived within a cave. The cave was located near Rotorua, in the Tiki-tapu district, and Kataore was a pet to the local chief, Tangaroa-mihi. However, as Kataore grew, he became violent and began to eat travelors. Finally, he devoured Tuhikarapapa, a high-born young maiden who was going to marry Reretoi.
Reretoi called for people to help him slay the beast. He even called tohunga, men with magical powers, so that they may sap the dragon's power. With these people, he planed to kill Kataore, the green-eyed dragon.
Pitaka, now on his third encounter with dragons, came to help slay the dragon. He and his men grabbed a few fresh nouses and snuck into the dragon's cave. Since the dragon was week from the tohunga's magic, they easily slipped the nouses around the dragon's neck and raced out of the cave.
When the men left the cave, the others began to pull on the ropes which were now fixed around the dragon's neck. At first, Kataore began to writhe as they pulled him out of the cave. However, as the ropes began to get tighter, the dragon lost his strength.
With that, the men leaped upon Kataore and tore his flesh until he died. They cooked his heart, and they named that ridge Te Ahi-Manawa.
Symbolism: This story possibly says that one should not keep such dangerous pets as a dragon.
Physical Description: Kataore was said to be a huge serpent-lizard with four legs, greenstone eyes, and huge spines.
For more information about these footnotes, please see the bibliography.
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© Kylie 'drago' McCormick.
Last updated: 4 October 2009