Basic Information
Type/Species: Taniwha
Origin: Maori (Māori) Mythology, New Zealand
About Wairere / Waireira
Wairere was one of the eleven taniwha sons of Araiteuru (Āraiteuru) of Hokianga Harbour. [1] His brothers, set by their mother, all took it upon themselves to see who could burrow the furthest to see the country in which they lived. [1]
Wairere followed the path cut by his brother Waihou and changed direction before he reached Horeke. [2] He encountered a rough patch of land filled with boulders. [3] Wairere found that the boulders were interesting shapes, and he wanted to bring one back to prove his story. [2]
Unfortunately, the boulder proved exceptionally heavy, and he made it back to Waihou's path. There, exhaustion overtook him, so he fell asleep with the boulder still atop his head. [3] He has not yet shaken the load from his shoulders, so he remains there, sleeping most of the time from the weight over his head. [2]
Even to this day, waka (ships, canoes) may be upset by this stone if Wairere stirs in his sleep, or, worse yet, if he half-awake attempts to take revenge for his plight. [3]
Related Articles
- Araiteuru (Āraiteuru)
- Mangamuka
- Motukauri
- Ohopa
- Omanaia
- Orira
- Utakura
- Waihou
- Waima
- Wairupe
- Whirinaki
Footnotes
- Orbell 13
- Gregory - The Hokianga Harbour. Link defunct: <http://www.tki.org.nz/r/farnet_new/te_kupenga/hokianga.php>
- White 3 [Online Text]
For more information on footnotes and references, please see the bibliography.
