The narrative begins with the departure of two canoes from Hawaiki, leaving behind Kuiwai, the sister of Ngātoroirangi, who is married to the chief Manaia. During a ceremonial gathering, Kuiwai's undercooked food angers Manaia, leading him to curse her and her family, threatening to cook her brother's flesh on red-hot stones. Overcome with shame, Kuiwai sends her daughter to warn Ngātoroirangi of the curse. The daughter, along with four other women, embarks on a perilous journey across the ocean, guided by their gods. They eventually reach New Zealand, where they seek out Ngātoroirangi. Upon arrival, they inform him of Manaia's curse, prompting Ngātoroirangi to retaliate with his own curse against Manaia. Ngātoroirangi and his warriors construct a canoe and return to Hawaiki to confront Manaia. They devise a plan to deceive Manaia's priests by pretending to be dead in the cooking ovens prepared for them. When the priests discover them, they mistakenly believe their prayers have been answered, leading to a surprise attack by Ngātoroirangi and his warriors, resulting in a bloody battle. Manaia narrowly escapes, but Ngātoroirangi's forces continue to pursue him. After a series of confrontations, including a fierce storm that decimates Manaia's forces, Ngātoroirangi ultimately avenges the curse. The narrative concludes with reflections on the consequences of the initial actions that led to the conflict, emphasizing the interconnectedness of fate and the repercussions of curses within the tribal dynamics.
By George Grey · Genre: Mythology, Historical Fiction, Adventure