22 
MYTHOLOGY. 
children the trees, of which he was the father; and of the birds, 
who own him also as their parent. Tane had six names, each 
being emblematical of his power. This is the case with all 
those who have distinguished themselves in the New Zealand 
mythology. Thus we have 
Tane Tuturi—the bending; from doing so in upheaving the sky. 
Tane Pepeki—the bowing; when his feet were against the sky. 
Tane TJetika—straight as a tree. 
Tane Ueka—strong as a tree. 
Tane te Waiora—the person who opened the fountain of living 
water. 
Tane nui a Eangi—the great Tane who propped up the heavens. 
In addition to these he is called Tane Mahuta. The last 
great work which is attributed to him is the opening of the 
fountain of living water, to perpetuate the existence of the 
sun and moon; the latter, when it wanes, is thought to go to 
it, and bathing therein to receive a renewed existence : hence 
the saying —“ Man dies and is no more seen; but the moon 
dies, and, plunging into the living water, springs forth again 
into life.” 
Tane is also the father of the birds which fly by night as 
well as those which fly by day ;* hence the saying—“ Ko te 
Onga onga te kiri, 
Kei mihi ki te ipu, 
Kei tangi ki te tau, 
Tangaroa vvatia, 
Tangaroa tara 
Anga tonu ko e ki tai-e, 
Ki tai e, 
Wati ko koe kei mihi, 
Ko koe kei aroha, 
Kei mihi ki te ipu, 
Kei tangi ki te tau. 
As the nettle to the skin. 
Do not grieve for thy partner, 
Do not cry for your husband. 
Let ocean be broken (in two). 
Let ocean be far apart. 
Be you united to the sea, 
Yes to the sea, O earth, 
Broken asunder are you two. 
Do not grieve, 
Do not (continue) your love. 
Do not grieve for your partner. 
When the earth and sky were separated, she was told to shrink from contact 
with her former partner, as the skin does from the nettle and bramble. The 
ocean was to be divided, being their joint offspring ; half was to go to Rangi, 
and form clouds ; and half to remain with Papa, to form the sea. 
* Ka noho a Tane, ka noho ia a Mumuwhango, ka puta ki wahoko te Totara, 
ka noho a Tane i a te Puwhakahara ka puta ki waho ko te Kahikatoa, te Ake 
rautangi, lea noho a Tane ka noho i a te Ata tangirea, ka puta ki waho te Maire 
ran nui, ka noho a Tane ka noho i a Parauri, ka puta ki waho ko te Tui, ka noho 
