156 
NAMES. 
much of his dignity, says, “ 0 yes, he is a great chief indeed ; 
wherever he goes, they inquire, who is he ?” The polite 
way of apologizing for a person’s ignorance of another’s name, 
is to say, “ Ka patau i kai ahau i te umu o to tapanga.” If I 
had partaken of the feast given when you were named, then 
indeed I should have known you. 
A chief generally receives three names during his life : the 
first immediately after he comes into the world is given by 
his mother, and might be called his child’s name, such as 
Tangi kai, from the child crying for food ; Poaka (pig), 
from its greediness ; Mokai , pet; Moe one, a little lively grub ; 
Mouri, heart’s blood; &c. The next was given at the 
tuatanga, or naming, and was assumed as he grew up; the 
last being taken at the death of his father, which might be 
called the family name. When Pehi died, Pakoro his son 
took it; and Te Hiko, the second son, assumed his father’s 
second name, Turoa. So also when te Heuheu died, his 
younger brother, Iwikau, adopted his name. Frequently, 
however, names were acquired by something occurring to the 
individual. The head chief of the Rarawa obtained the name 
of Panakareao, from his being entangled amongst the supple 
jacks in the forest, whilst fleeing from a battle where his men 
were routed; in that state, he was captured by a woman, and 
honorably restored to liberty, with this name, which he has 
ever since borne. 
Tumuwakairia, a principal chief of the Mani-a-poto, 
was taken prisoner, and threatened with being hung from 
the tumu, or knot of a tree, but being rescued by another 
chief from the fate intended him, he hence acquired his present 
name, which signifies, the suspended from the knot of a tree. 
Te Wakaahu, a Wanganui chief, slew Tuwhare, a head 
chief of the Ngatiwhatua from Kaipara; he did not die at 
once, but lingered for a day or two. The dying chief told 
his conqueror he was no warrior, but only a husbandman; 
that he had not the hand of a man accustomed to fight, but 
only he ringa ringa main kai, a hand accustomed to work, or 
he would have killed him outright. His conqueror ever 
after retained that as his name, and his son after him. 
