The Karori Giants

Tu Tangata, Issue 8, 1 October 1982, Page 28

The Karori Giants

3rd form winners

I lie at the back of Karori with two other giants. Our faces are turned to the sky in everlasting sleep. I am Karori and

I lie with Hine Terawhiti and Makara.

When I was a boy my parents worried about me for I was little and weak.

My father Manu was a famous warrior strong and fearless. He was disappointed that I was small and feeble. He said that the omens were good when I was born. My mother Piki said I was a healthy baby. Manu heard a pigeon coo in a nearby tree and this brings good luck. Piki knew that all the charms and spells recited by the tohunga were correct.

My parents could not understand it. They thought that somebody had secretly wished me harm. Piki said that her elder sister Miru could have stepped over me while I was asleep and affected my growth. Miru was envious that Piki had a son and she hadn’t.

Then Manu told Piki to go and ask the tohunga for help.

So Piki went, and as she was drawing nearer the whare she heard the tohunga chanting these words:

Puwha and moas’ eggs

Make quick brains and sturdy legs If you keep the secret of my song Your child will be big and strong.

Piki returned to Manu and told him so he hurried to the tohunga’s whare and heard the same chanting. So then Manu and Piki gathered food for me.

From that day I have been strong and healthy. Manu always used to search for food for me.

I was clever too. I could throw a spear skillfully and I was quick at games and could recite the history of my ancestors, by heart.

Soon I was a giantic size and was able to find my own food. Manu and Piki were proud of me for I was handsome, but Miru was still envious. When I was with my parents she would roll her eyes and pout her lips, while she tried to think of ways to hurt their pride. I used to hear her mutter may the winds blow evil to him.

One day when I was hunting for moas’ eggs I met a beautiful young girl. Her name was Hine Terewhiti. As time went by Hine brought me moas' eggs and we became very friendly. One day her father followed her and saw us he was furious he said that Hine was to marry Makara who said I was not a proper giant, just an over grown freak.

My voice echoed for miles and Makara heard it. I yelled in rage. I will fight him now and show him I am as good as giant as he. Makara came quickly over the hills and we rushed at each other. I could feel the north wind helping me, but the south wind was helping Makara. They blew with such force they hurled us to the ground.

Hine ran over but it was too late. Makara and I were already dead.

Hine was filled with sorrow, she mourned for a long time. When darkness fell her cry carried on the winds and could be heard through the night. Aue!

Aue! Then her voice grew faint and was heard no more.

After that day the Maoris would say that the stormy winds were Hine’s voice calling to me.

(Karori is the suburb where I live and Makara is a district over the hill from Karori. Terawhiti is a sheep farm in the same area.)

Briar Beaglehole Wellington Girls College

Form 3