MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 September 1940, Page 9

MAORI MEMORIES

KIWI AND KIORE. (Recorded by J.H.S., of Palmerston North, for the “Times-Age.”) Other sources of food in season were the Kiwi and his friend the Kiore (native rat). Both were hunted with the aid of the Kuri (Maori dog). By nature all three were night prowlers. The Kiwi, with tiny nostrils in the point of its sharp, straight, six-inch beak, wandered along the ground, sharp ears and scent searching for worms. On hearing or scenting a worm he became oblivious to all else, so the Kuri was signalled to pounce upon him. Relatively to its size the Kiwi lays an enormous egg. A kiwi weighing about 5 pounds lays an egg 5J inches long by 3i in diameter. The ostrich, ten times the weight, lays eggs 51 by 4 inches. Kiwi leathers, long and hairy, woven into dressed flax mats were warm winter clothing.

The Maori rat (Kiore) with dark bluish hairs on the back, almost exterminated by the strange antagonism of his imported cousin from Norway was a great relish. Apart from the Kuri, which is really not indigenous, the Kiore was the only four-legged animal here. Long' tracks were cut through the bush, many snares baited with its favourite berries were laid along the way. Being vegetarians their flesh had a special relish. Each rat hunt followed by a great, Hakari (feast) was first sanctified by the priests to whom the choicest roast specimens were served by the smiling village maidens. Without one thought of wrong all were clothed on this occasion as nature made them.