Contents

Introduction -- Tiki: the ancestor of mankind -- The creation of Hawaiki -- The poi-dance -- The creation of the stars -- The chant of Rangi-nui -- Tane: the creation of nature -- The fight of night and day -- Maui: the creation of New Zealand -- Mahuika -- Maui and Mahuika; Maui's fight with the sun -- The death of Maui -- Te aroha o Hinemoa: a legend -- Maui and Irawaru: a tradition -- Nga patu-paiarehe, the children of the mist / James Cowan -- Tihi-o-te-rangi -- The battle of the giants -- The coming of the Maori / James Cowan -- Tradition: Tama-te-kapua -- A tangi; Te Reinga, the Maori spirit-land / James Cowan -- Ngawai: The burial of Te Heu-heu in Tongariro.