Dragons of Fame

Wairere / Waireira

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

History: 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

1. Orbell 13
2. Gregory - The Hokianga Harbour
3. White 3 [Online Text]

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