The Legend of Mauao

Earlier in the term the Fridge Kids made some beautiful mixed media art of Mauao. After listening to the legend the students were able to retell the legend in their own words.

The Legend of Mauao

Beautifully retold by Gjiana and Hope

Once upon a time there was a nameless mountain. The nameless one fell in love with Puwhenua. The nameless one asked the Patupairehe (night faries) to ask Puwhenua if she was in love with him. When the Patupairehe returned they had bad news. Puwhenua did not love the nameless one, her love belonged to Otanewainuku. So the nameless one asked the Patupairehe to plait a special rope and drag him to the ocean so he could drown to the bottom of the ocean and forget his worries forever. But before they got to the end of the beach, the sun came up and the Patupairehe had to leave the nameless one. But they said we must give you a name. They named the nameless one Mauao. So Mauao means caught by the light. 

The Legend of Mauao

Beautifully retold by Amy

Once upon a time there was a nameless mountain. The sun shone on Puwhenua and the nameless mountain fell in love with Puwhenua. The nameless mountain asked his friends the Patupairehe (night faries) to send the message to Puwhenua. The Patupairehe came back and they said Puwhenua is in love with Otanewainuku not him, so he asked the Patupairehe to plait a rope and drag him to the sea to drown. But the sun came out so the Patupairehe had to go so they named him Mauao. So Mauao means caught by the light. 

The Legend of Mauao

Beautifully retold by Eli

Once upon a time there was a nameless mountain. One morning the nameless mountain fell in love with Puwhenua. The night Patupairehe (fairies) told Puwhenua that the nameless mountain loves her but Puwhenua’s heart belongs to Otanewainuku. The nameless one was mad and sad. He told the Patupairehe to make a rope so they can pull him to the sea and he can drown. But they did not make it to the sea and the sun came up and the Patupairehe had to go but before they went they named him Mauao which means caught by the light.

The Legend of Mauao

Beautifully retold by Patrick

Once upon a time there was a nameless mountain. The nameless one fell in love with Puwhenua so he asked his friends to send his message of love to Puwhenua. When the Patupairehe (night faries) returned they said that Puwhenua did not love him. Then the nameless one asked his friends to drag him to the ocean and let him sink to the bottom of the ocean while crying all the way. But suddenly the sun rose and the fairies let go of the rope and flew away forever. So Mauao means caught by the light.