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HE PURAPURA MARARA SCATTERED SEEDS
HE PURAPURA MARARA SCATTERED SEEDS
Maori Maiden Leap
Main Details
DescriptionTEREREKA A HAKI TE KURA
The tale of the Maori Maiden Leap is the tragic love story of Korokowhiti, son of Tukiauau and Haki Te Kura, daughter of Te Whiriroa Tukiauau, a Ngatimamoe chief, had murdered Te Manawa, an important Ngaitahu Chief about 1720. Tukiauau, his son Koroko Whiti and their followers, fled the Marlborough District and headed south until they reached Moturata Island. Te Whiriroa, the Taieri Chief had a Pa on the South bank of the river mouth. Upon learning of the murder of Te Manawa, Te Whiriroa refused to befriend the runaway chief and his party. Tukiauau the his followers set off up the river toward lake Waihola and built themselves a Pa on Ram Island where they stayed some years. Meanwhile Korokowhiti, son of Tukianuau had fallen deeply in love with Haki Te Kura, the lovely daughter of Te Whiriroa.
They met secretly near the rocky cliff on the south bank where the river swept to the sea. They both knew Te Whiriroa would never consent to their marriage. Haki Te Kura planned to go with her lover. In the dark as the canoes swiftly sped to the sea, she jumped as her lover drew in under the cliff. She misjudged the distance and was killed as she fell on the sharp rocks below. Heartbroken, Korokowhiti lifted her body on to a ledge above the tide and then left. When her body was found, it was mistakenly though Haki Te Kura had been murdered. After the tangi, a war party set off to seek revenge. They followed the canoes as far south as Rakiura (Stewart Island) where they ambushed and killed Tukiauau, Korokowhiti and all his party, except two boys who would later carry the news to their kinsmen in the North.
Geo Location[1]
The tale of the Maori Maiden Leap is the tragic love story of Korokowhiti, son of Tukiauau and Haki Te Kura, daughter of Te Whiriroa Tukiauau, a Ngatimamoe chief, had murdered Te Manawa, an important Ngaitahu Chief about 1720. Tukiauau, his son Koroko Whiti and their followers, fled the Marlborough District and headed south until they reached Moturata Island. Te Whiriroa, the Taieri Chief had a Pa on the South bank of the river mouth. Upon learning of the murder of Te Manawa, Te Whiriroa refused to befriend the runaway chief and his party. Tukiauau the his followers set off up the river toward lake Waihola and built themselves a Pa on Ram Island where they stayed some years. Meanwhile Korokowhiti, son of Tukianuau had fallen deeply in love with Haki Te Kura, the lovely daughter of Te Whiriroa.
They met secretly near the rocky cliff on the south bank where the river swept to the sea. They both knew Te Whiriroa would never consent to their marriage. Haki Te Kura planned to go with her lover. In the dark as the canoes swiftly sped to the sea, she jumped as her lover drew in under the cliff. She misjudged the distance and was killed as she fell on the sharp rocks below. Heartbroken, Korokowhiti lifted her body on to a ledge above the tide and then left. When her body was found, it was mistakenly though Haki Te Kura had been murdered. After the tangi, a war party set off to seek revenge. They followed the canoes as far south as Rakiura (Stewart Island) where they ambushed and killed Tukiauau, Korokowhiti and all his party, except two boys who would later carry the news to their kinsmen in the North.
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ContributorMarilyn EgertonJeannine Basquin
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Dunedin Public Libraries (13th Apr 2017). Maori Maiden Leap. In Website Dunedin Public Libraries. Retrieved 3rd May 2026 11:34, from https://dunedin.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/200935