The Lost Tohunga (27 page)

‘Has she promised you a date or something?' Cassandra teased, but for once Riki didn't rise to the bait.

‘She needs to remind herself who she is. She'll be okay, I'm sure.' Mat said.

It seemed to be a gathering of the walking wounded. Wiri was still hobbling, and Tu Hollis was moving gingerly, too, from a cut to the chest and bruised ribs. Hine looked haunted and relieved. Tim Spriggs's broken arm would take weeks to mend. Fortunately there were waiters to do the serving and carve the meat. Kelly looked exhausted, the worst of them all, even though she had not been in the fight. ‘Giving birth is far worse than being in any silly battle,' she told them in a dismissive voice. When the men demurred, she grinned evilly. ‘Which would you boys rather do then?' It clinched the argument.

They toasted Aethlyn Jones and Ngatoro-i-rangi. They compared wounds. They ate venison and sipped a majestic red wine that Tim Spriggs ordered. Mat had one glass, for Jones. He could picture the old man lecturing him about the health issues involved.

They all fell silent for a time, lost in their own thoughts. Then Fitzy jumped onto the table to help himself to more venison, and sparked a round of laughter that seemed to never stop. Tim Spriggs teased Hine about her clothes, and Kelly threatened to tell them all about her labour all over again, until a thin, plaintive cry came from the corner where the baby boy was lying in a bassinet. They passed the little boy around; a
naming competition ensued, but few of the suggestions were serious. Mat sidled in beside Cassandra and clinked glasses. ‘Thanks for helping me find Te Iho.'

‘It was nothing. You did most of the thinking …' she grinned slyly, ‘… for a change.' She squeezed his hand softly under the table, suddenly looking extraordinarily lovely.

Everything was very nearly perfect …

He met Hine's eyes. She was leaning into Tu Hollis with a contented look on her face, and smiled back at him. But he found himself thinking of another set of eyes, one that would be staring out from the bars of the prison carriage winding its way north. He no longer knew if Donna Kyle deserved death or not. He just knew he didn't want to be the one who decided.

He wondered about Mum and Dad, then put it aside. It was up to them. His happiness didn't depend on them reconciling, and maybe their happiness didn't either. There seemed nothing left to worry about, so he didn't. He sipped his wine and joshed with Cassandra and Riki. Wine and laughter … weren't they supposed to be good for the heart? Maybe he would have another glass.

Most of the characters of this book are fictional. Ngatoro and Puarata are figures from legend, and tales of their doings can be found in most New Zealand mythology collections. The tales of Maui and Mahuika, Hinemoa and Tutanekai, and Peha can likewise be found in most collections.

There are a few Maori words used in this story and its prequels. Most are explained in the text, but here they are with a definition.

Please note that there are subtle variations of Maori usage in different regions of New Zealand. The definitions, below, are based on those given in P. M. Ryan's
Dictionary of Modern Maori
(Heinemann, 4th edition, 1994; republished as
The Raup
Dictionary of Modern Maori,
Penguin, 2008).

Aotearoa
: The traditional Maori name for New Zealand, although it did not assume wide usage until the Europeans arrived. It roughly translates to ‘Land of the Long White Cloud'. In the story I have used the word to signify the ‘ghost world' of New Zealand mythology, history and spirits.

Haere ra
: ‘Farewell.'

Haka
: A traditional Maori dance. We mostly think of it as a war-dance, which is a sub-type of haka called a peruperu and is performed by warriors as a challenge to enemies prior to battle. However, a haka can also be performed in celebration or to entertain, and not just by men. Different tribes have their own haka.

Hangi
: A traditional Maori cooking method in which fire-pits are dug and filled with large stones, which are then heated by fires for around two hours. The food is placed in
baskets, wrapped in soaked cloth, and placed on the stones and covered over, trapping the heat and moisture for a gentle slow cooking of the fare — primarily meat and root vegetables. The cooking phase takes three to four hours, and results in a smoky, juicy meal that retains all the natural flavours of the ingredients.

Hau Hau
: A branch of the Pai Marire, a Maori religion that fused Christian and traditional beliefs. It was strong on the East Cape of the North Island. The militant branch of the Pai Marire was known as Hau Hau, and fought in the 1860s for the return of land. They were infamous for the slaying of a reverend in 1865. This set them as ‘bogeymen' in the colonial settlers' psyche, with the result that they became synonymous with cannibalism and savagery.

Hongi
: A traditional Maori greeting where the two participants rub noses. They are thereby symbolically ‘sharing breath', and the visitor becomes one of the people of the tribe for their stay. The god Tane is said to have created woman by moulding her from clay and then breathing into her nostrils, and thereby gifting her life.

Iwi
: A tribe or race of people.

Kai
: Food.

Kapa haka
: A traditional display of Maori dance and song.

Karani-mama
: Grandmother (an adaptation from English).

Kawa
: Protocol, especially the protocol of the local marae. This covers who may speak and who may not, who is welcome, etc.

Kehua
: One of the many terms for a fairy or goblin in Maori mythology. For the purposes of this story, ‘kehua' denotes spirit-goblins that can animate earth or wood, appearing as clay-like goblin creatures. Only about sixty centimetres tall, they are more mischievous than evil, but might be enslaved by a tohunga makutu for evil purposes.

Kia ora
: A universal greeting that can mean ‘Hello' or ‘Thanks' or even ‘Good health' or ‘Best wishes'.

Korerorero
: A chat, a discussion.

Koru
: A carved spiral pattern based upon the unfurling fern frond. It symbolizes new life, growth, strength and peace. The koru is a common motif of Maori art.

Makutu
: Evil magic.

Mana
: Prestige, or charisma, or honour, or dignity, or all of these virtues; mana encompasses the personal qualities of leadership and pre-eminence within a tribe and people.

Manaia
: A sea horse, and a common motif in Maori carving. In the Aotearoa of this story, I have used the word to denote sea-taniwha.

Maori
: A Polynesian race that settled New Zealand, probably from around 800 years ago (the timing is unknown and somewhat controversial). They settled primarily in the North Island of New Zealand, and on adapting to the cooler lands, thrived and multiplied until the coming of the Europeans after Cook's journeys in the late eighteenth century. The ninteenth century saw increasing European settlement and conflict, until Europeans dominated numerically, and colonized the country.

Marae
: The central place of a Maori community. In a pre-European settlement, it was the central area of a village, and contained the meeting halls and central courtyard where social gatherings and events would occur. In the modern world, a marae is often in the countryside, and will contain a meeting hall and lawn outside for gatherings on special occasions and the funerals of noted community members.

Mere
: A traditional Maori club, which could come in many forms and be made from stone, bone or wood. The term
patu
also means club. For the purposes of this story, I have used the word ‘mere' to denote blunt, heavy clubs which would be used to bludgeon an enemy, and I have used ‘patu' to denote lighter-edged clubs which would slash an enemy.

Moa
: A flightless bird of New Zealand, extinct before Europeans arrived — though some say there might yet be some in the wilds of Fiordland in the South Island.

Moko
: A traditional Maori tattoo. Maori have a strong tradition of tattooing and this can cover much of the body, including the face. The patterns and motifs are strongly traditional. The carving of moko was a very painful ordeal, and part of the rites of passage of a young man or woman of rank — the more moko one had, the more mana and rank was implied.

Pa
: A fortified village. Pa were normally found on hill tops, encircled by several rings of wooden palisades and, once guns became widespread, also entrenched.

Pakeha
: Traditionally a Maori term for foreigners, although these days it has come to mean New Zealanders of European
descent (primarily British, but also Continental Europeans such as German, Dutch and Scandinavian).

Patu
: A club — see ‘mere'.

Patupaiarehe
: One of the many terms for fairy or goblin in Maori mythology. For the purposes of this story, ‘patupaiarehe' denotes pale-skinned, red-haired vampire-like creatures, which are dangerous to men.

Piupiu
: A flax kilt.

Poai
: Boy.

Pohoi
: An earring — these might be made of stone, bone, or even cured hides of birds. A pohoi from a rare bird like the huia was highly prized.

Ponaturi
: One of the many terms for fairy or goblin in Maori mythology. For the purposes of this story, ‘ponaturi' denotes pale-skinned, man-like sea-fairies who prowl the coasts, occasionally glimpsed by men.

Pounamu
: Greenstone — a jade found in New Zealand, often used for the most precious ornaments.

Rangatira
: The chief of a tribe.

Ruanuku
: A wizard; as in ‘tohunga ruanuku'.

Ruru
: The native New Zealand owl, or morepork.

Taiaha
: The traditional Maori long-club. A taiaha looked a little like a spear with a carved point, but this was deceptive. It was not a spear, and never thrown. In fact the ‘point' was the handle, and the thick haft of the weapon was the striking part. It was used more like a two-handed sword, and had a
tradition of fighting moves associated with it. In combat, the pointed end was often used to apply the
coup de grâce
to a stunned opponent.

Tangata whenua
: The People of the Land. The term can take a wide meaning such as all Maori, or a narrower view such as the people of a certain region. It implies a right to dwell upon that land.

Taniwha
: A taniwha is generally seen as a protective spirit, associated with (especially) waterways, but also with other natural landmarks like caves and hills. They commonly appear in tales as giant lizard-like creatures, or massive serpents. They are also associated with great white sharks (mako-taniwha). They are sometimes hostile, sometimes protectors of a village or place.

Tapu
: Sacred. The term can apply to a place or a person or a thing. To break a tapu — by entering a place without the appropriate ritual actions, for example — was to court misfortune, and to pollute oneself spiritually.

Tikanga Maori
: Maori customs.

Tiki
(or
hei-tiki
): A tiki is a carving of a primal human form, usually male. Tiki are worn as a neck pendant, and can be made from wood, bone or stone. They have a great deal of cultural significance and mana, and are often treasured artefacts passed down through the generations.

Tipua
: One of the many terms for fairy or goblin in Maori mythology. For the purposes of this story, ‘tipua' denotes small, wiry, pale-skinned, goblin-like creatures, about a metre
tall, with primitive weapons, living in wild places and mostly hostile to men.

Tipuna-tane
: Grandfather.

Tohunga
: A Maori priest or wise man (they were always male), similar to a druid or shaman. The tohunga preserved tales and legends, genealogies, and were the cultural repositories of their people. They were also looked to for guidance in astrology and as intercessors with the gods, and appear in legends as powerful ‘wizards' with magical powers, some good and some evil. The term can also cover experts in skilled traditional fields like carving, navigation and canoe-making. The term
tohunga makutu
denotes a tohunga who uses black magic.

Tuatara
: A native lizard-like reptile of New Zealand, typically up to a metre long from head to tail. (They are, in fact, a relic of the dinosaur era.) They are associated with boundaries in folklore, and women were forbidden to eat them. They were held to be found at the boundaries of tapu places.

Turehu
: One of the many terms for fairy or goblin in Maori mythology. For the purposes of this story, ‘turehu' denotes shape-shifting creatures, who appear goblinesque in their natural form. They are mischievous, and might be dangerous if antagonized, but friendly if respected.

Wahine
: A woman.

Waiata
: A song. Maori was not a written language in pre-European times, so songs and stories were an important part of retaining cultural identity.

Wairau
: Spirit. In the context of a ‘tohunga wairau' it designates one who acts as an intermediary with spirits, and is synonymous with ‘tohunga ruanuku', except that a tohunga wairau is one who would not use makutu in any form.

Waka
: A Maori canoe, generally a large canoe whose hull has been carved from a single tree trunk. Waka ranged in size from small unadorned river and fishing vessels to forty-metre war-canoes used by war-parties for water travel.

Whanau
: Family; both immediate and extended family.

Whare
: A house. The meeting house at the centre of a marae is generally termed the ‘whare runanga', and is adorned with traditional carvings at the entrance and inside.