CHAP. IV.J THE SWEET POTATO. 47 



according to their traditions, their forefathers brought 

 with them when they first came to the country, all 

 these animals and vegetables were nga mea tawito 

 (old things, indigenous things). A change took place 

 in their food by the introduction of the sweet pota- 

 to, kumara (Convolvulus batata) an introduction 

 which is gratefully remembered and recorded in 

 many of their songs, and has given rise to solemn 

 religious observances. It may be asked, what was 

 the period when the poor natives received the gift of 

 this wholesome food, and who was their benefactor ? 

 On the first point they know nothing ; their recol- 

 lection attaches itself to events, but not to time : the 

 name, however, of the donor lives in their memory. 

 It is E Pani, or Ko Pani, the wife of E Tiki, who 

 brought the first seeds from the island of Tawai. 

 E Tiki was a native of the island of Tawai, which 

 is not that whence, according to tradition, the 

 ancestors of the New Zealanders had come. He 

 came to New Zealand with his wife : whether in less 

 frail vessels than they possess at present, and whether 

 purposely or driven there by accident, tradition is 

 silent. He was well received, but soon perceived 

 that food was more scanty here than in the happy 

 isle whence he came : he wished to confer a benefit 

 upon his hosts, but knew not how to do it, until his 

 wife, E Pani, offered to go back and fetch kumara, 

 that the people who had received them kindly might 

 not suffer want any longer. This she accomplished, 

 and returned in safety to the shores of New Zealand. 



