Story: Tangaroa – the sea

Kahawai fishing lure

Kahawai fishing lure

In one tradition Te Manuhauturuki, the son of Ruatepupuke, went fishing with a kahawai lure, like the one shown here. Tangaroa became angry that the lure had been named after him but the proper karakia (prayer) had not been said, and he turned Manuhauturuki into a tekoteko (carved gable figure).

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference: I.006367

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, 'Tangaroa – the sea - Ruatepupuke and the origin of carving', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/object/7400/kahawai-fishing-lure (accessed 20 March 2024)

Story by Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, published 12 Jun 2006