Hine-nui-te-po

"I am the great woman of the Night, Atua and ruler of the Underworld of spirits. Hine-ti-tama (The Dawn Maiden) was my physical name. I am the first human child and mother to mankind. Born of Tane and Hine-ahu-one, the great pro-creator of life and the first woman formed from the red earth of Te Kurawaka, I am the manifestation of the female essence who symbolises life, light and death.

I was predestined to transform my energy force, to transcend my physical being for the benefit of all humanity. I claimed authority over the world of spirits cutting the aho-o-te-ao (the cord of the world) ensuring my human children live only one cycle, thus becoming the spiritual pathway to the Underworld. I am known as Hine-nui-te-po - the Mother of the resting place, the guardian of Rarohenga..."