Pū rakau ō Tāwhaki
Tāwhaki Journey for KnowledgeAfter Ranginui and Papatūānuku were separated, their children began to explore the world of light. Among them, Tāwhaki was one of the most adventurous. He journeyed to the edge of the horizon, where he found the vine-covered whare of Matakerepō, guardian of the heavens. She counted time by her kūmara mounds:“Tahi, rua, toru, whā… must be time for sleep.”
While she snored, Tāwhaki tried to sneak past by climbing the heavenly vines. But he slipped.“Āwhina mai!” he cried.
Matakerepō caught him.“Who are you?” she asked.“I am Tāwhaki son of Hema and Urutonga, searching for my kidnapped father, taken by the Ponaturi.”
To access the heavens and gain knowledge, Tāwhaki needed kete (baskets) — not for food, but for storing wisdom. Matakerepō tasked him with delivering kūmara in the baskets to her whānau.
His first stop was the fiery volcano home of Mahuika, who offered him warmth — and also a warning. He declined her advances but gained her gift: the secret of making fire from special stones.
Next, he flew to the moon and met Rona Whakamautai, exiled there for disrespecting the moon. She now controlled the tides. Though she didn’t want to leave, she taught Tāwhaki about the ocean’s rhythms.
Finally, he followed a rainbow to a cocoon where Hineraukatauri, goddess of music, emerged. She welcomed him with a feast, taught him to play the kōauau (flute), and introduced him to joy and celebration.
With all three kete now empty, Tāwhaki returned to Matakerepō, ready to seek heavenly knowledge. But she informed him:“Tane had already collected the baskets of knowledge.”
Disappointed, Tāwhaki realized he had still gained much:
Fire from Mahuika
Tide wisdom from Rona
Joy and music from Hineraukatauri
“You have filled your kete with valuable knowledge,” said Matakerepō.“Keep searching. You’re closer than you think.”
Like Tāwhaki our quest for knowledge continues.
While she snored, Tāwhaki tried to sneak past by climbing the heavenly vines. But he slipped.“Āwhina mai!” he cried.
Matakerepō caught him.“Who are you?” she asked.“I am Tāwhaki son of Hema and Urutonga, searching for my kidnapped father, taken by the Ponaturi.”
To access the heavens and gain knowledge, Tāwhaki needed kete (baskets) — not for food, but for storing wisdom. Matakerepō tasked him with delivering kūmara in the baskets to her whānau.
His first stop was the fiery volcano home of Mahuika, who offered him warmth — and also a warning. He declined her advances but gained her gift: the secret of making fire from special stones.
Next, he flew to the moon and met Rona Whakamautai, exiled there for disrespecting the moon. She now controlled the tides. Though she didn’t want to leave, she taught Tāwhaki about the ocean’s rhythms.
Finally, he followed a rainbow to a cocoon where Hineraukatauri, goddess of music, emerged. She welcomed him with a feast, taught him to play the kōauau (flute), and introduced him to joy and celebration.
With all three kete now empty, Tāwhaki returned to Matakerepō, ready to seek heavenly knowledge. But she informed him:“Tane had already collected the baskets of knowledge.”
Disappointed, Tāwhaki realized he had still gained much:
Fire from Mahuika
Tide wisdom from Rona
Joy and music from Hineraukatauri
“You have filled your kete with valuable knowledge,” said Matakerepō.“Keep searching. You’re closer than you think.”
Like Tāwhaki our quest for knowledge continues.
.jpg)
.jpeg)
Treasured relationships
Hear from some of the whānau