Purakau (legend) says I am the great
woman of the Night, Atua (Goddess) and
ruler of the Underworld of Spirits.
Hine-ti-tama (The Dawn Maiden) was
my earthly name. I am the first human
child and mother to mankind. Born of
Tane, the great pro-creator of life, and
Hine-ahu-one, the first woman formed
from the red earth of Te Kurawaka, I am
the manifestation of the female element
who represents life, light and death.
I was predestined to transform my
energy force - to transcend my limited
earthly being for the benefit of all
humanity. I claim authority over the
world of Spirits cutting the aho-o-te-ao
(the cord of the world) ensuring my
children live only one cycle, thus
becoming the spiritual pathway to the
Underworld. I am now known as Hinenui-
te-po. You may acknowledge me as
the Mother of the resting place, the
guardian of Rarohenga. In this realm I
dwell for eternity. My embrace is a gift to
my children. Here, I welcome you - those
who pass from the physical world to the
next.
(Excerpt from NIU - He Tangata Matauhi, Voices of our Ancestors)