Dragons of Fame

Omanaia

Type/Species: Taniwha
Origin: Maori (Māori) Mythology, New Zealand

History: Omanaia was one of the eleven taniwha sons of Araiteuru (Āraiteuru) of Hokianga Harbour.² Each of her eleven sons took a journey to see the country in which they lived, and each left his own mark on the harbor or surrounding country side.¹

Omanaia was a particularly lazy taniwha. He travelled due south and burrowed until he hit the mountain of Waoku, as his brother Waima had done earlier.² Smelling his brother, he followed the scent, digging a path that leads down and under the mountain.²

Despite his efforts, he did not find his brother, and in the attempt to follow someone else's path, he became lost himself. He never made it out of the fortresses on Waoku.²

1. Orbell 13
2. Gregory - The Hokianga Harbour

For more information about footnotes and references, please see the bibliography.