On Mokoia Island in the centre of Lake Rotorua, about 180 years ago, lived a family of several brothers. Tütänekai was the youngest of them. Their mother Rangiuru, wife of Whakaue Kaipapa (ancestor of the Ngäti Whakaue, the people now based on Ohinemutu, Rotorua), had had an illicit affair with Tüwharetoa (ancestor of the Ngäti Tüwharetoa, the people now based around Lake Taupo) who hailed from another tribe and of their union had Tütänekai been born. Her husband Whakaue Kaipapa however agreed to take her back and to raise and love Tütänekai as his own son, despite his "illegitimacy".

Tütänekai and Tiki were takatäpui, "intimate companions of the same sex." Te Rangikaheke says Tütänekai and Tiki had been takatäpui-friends since childhood, and their spirits clung to each other like those of two brothers. (Ka piri ö räua wairua ko töna hoa takatäpui ko Tiki, änö he teina he tuakana räua.)

Tütänekai's pütörino (flute) was made from the legbone of Murirangaranga, the priest who had consecrated him as a baby, but been caught eating too soon after the ceremony and put to death for this breach of tapu. This no doubt added to the power of its sound.

Tiki played the köauau, a smaller, softer flute than Tütänekai's pütörino. and Tiki played their flutes to each other from a platform built by Whakaue on a bluff to the south of Mokoia Island in the middle of Lake Rotorua.

At that time there lived a beautiful and high ranking young maiden by the name of Hinemoa, the daughter of a very influential chief. They lived at Owhata on the eastern shores of Lake Rotorua. Because of her rank, Hinemoa was declared puhi (tapu or sacred). A husband would be chosen for her when she reached maturity by the elders in her hapu (subtribe) and her family. Many people came from far and wide to seek the hand of Hinemoa whose beauty and grace were well known. However, none of the suitors gained the approval of the tribe.

Each of the elder brothers of Tütänekai had declared their love for Hinemoa and set out to win her hand. None of them won approval from Hinemoa's people.

Tütänekai was extremely handsome and excelled at the games of the time which Maori used to develop co-ordination and skills for times of battle. They were played at gatherings such as this. It was Tütänekai's prowess at these games and his good looks which caught Hinemoa's eye. She fell in love with Tütänekai and at each subsequent tribal meeting they would fall more deeply for one another. They were able only to convey their feelings through furtive glances of longing and never once had the opportunity to speak with one another.

It was such a sad state of affairs, as neither could see any way their love would ever be requited. Tütänekai would sit on the shores of Mokoia Island with his boyfriend Tiki and play sad music on his flute. The music would waft on still evenings across the lake to where Hinemoa sat aching also with passion. She was filled with sadness and knew she could never marry anyone but Tütänekai. Her people began to suspect this was the case, and in order to prevent her sneaking away to her secret love, they pulled all the canoes up on to the shore, so they were too heavy for her to move alone.

Night after night she listened to the strains of her would be lover until her heart was overcome with sadness and she knew she could take no more. it was then she decided, if she could not use a canoe, she would have to swim. The next night, she told her people she was going to watch the evening entertainment, but in fact she headed for the lakefront, after collecting six calabashes from the cooking house. She rested at the rock Iri iri kapua (which can still be seen at Owhata) while she made the calabashes into waterwings.

To the sound of Tütänekai’s pütörino, high-born Hinemoa then slipped in to the water at a beach called Wairerewai and swam for Mokoia. It was of course very dark, so she was reliant upon the strains of the flute played by her love Tütänekai. She rested at a large stump in the lake briefly, and carried onward guided by their music. She finally made it to Mokoia Island, but she had become so cold during her swim, she headed straight for the hot pool Waikimihia, near Tütänekai's house. Once she had warmed herself, Hinemoa became conscious she was naked and was too shy to approach Tütänekai's house without clothes.

It so happened at this time Tütänekai became thirsty, so he sent his lover Tiki down to fetch him a calabash of water. Tiki had to pass quite close to where Hinemoa sat warming herself. As he passed the pool a gruff voice called out to him "Mo wai te wai?" (For whom is the water?) Tiki answered; "Mo Tütänekai" (For Tütänekai) "Give it to me" demanded Hinemoa, and as soon as the Tiki did so she smashed the calabash on the side of the pool. When Tiki returned to Tütänekai and told him what had happened, Tütänekai made him go again. Again Hinemoa challenged Tiki and once again smashed the calabash. This time Tütänekai became angry and decided to go down to the pool himself to see who was being such a nuisance. He dressed himself, and took his mere(greenstone weapon) and headed for the pool. Once there, he challenged whoever was in the pool to show themselves. Noone moved. Hinemoa had moved under a hanging rock which provided some protection for her naked body. She stayed as still as a mouse. Then, Tütänekai felt around the edge of the rock and came to where Hinemoa hid. He grabbed her by her hair and pulled her clear. "Who are you?' he cried. "Who dares annoy me?"

She answered, "It is I, Hinemoa, who has come to you." Tütänekai couldn't believe his ears. And when she stepped out of the water, he was sure he had never seen such a beautiful woman. Tütänekai took off his cloak and wrapped it about Hinemoa and they returned to his house to sleep with him, sealing their marriage (Ngäti Whakaue are known as the "four-legs" to this day, from the manner of their discovery next morning).

The next morning the people of the pa rose to prepare the morning meal and remarked that this day Tütänekai was sleeping late. He always rose first. After a while, his father began to think him ill so sent his boyfriend Tiki to check on him. Tiki went to Tütänekai's whare and as he peeked in saw four feet instead of two poking out from beneath the covers. Tiki ran back to report this to Tütänekai's father and was sent back to investigate further. It was then he recognised Hinemoa. Such was his surprise and anger, he began to call out "It is Hinemoa. It is Hinemoa who lies with Tütänekai. The brothers would not believe Tiki, and nor did any other, but in the commotion, Tütänekai indeed stepped from his house with Hinemoa on his arm. It was then, the people noticed canoes heading toward the island, and knowing it would be Hinemoa's family, they feared war and anticipated Hinemoa would be taken from Tütänekai forever. However, upon arrival there was much rejoicing between the two tribes, and lasting peace was forged between the two tribes.

But Tiki was very upset that Tütänekai's marriage left him alone. When he threatened to leave, Tütänekai invited him to stay on for a while, and went to tell his adoptive father that he was overcome by love/pity for his friend ("Ka mate au i te aroha ki töku hoa, ki a Tiki"), so Whakaue bestowed his younger daughter, Tupa, on Tiki, and they all continued to live together.

Pütörino

The name implies the binding of two voices, instrument and human, to create spirit voice.

Usually made from two bones joined (i.e., albatross) or wood hollowed, they produce two distinct (male & female) voices, one trumpet-like, one flute-like.

Köauau

These can be made from various bones, wood, antlers or pottery.

Hollowed out tubes with two to five finger holes, they are flutes with haunting melody that vibrates, sometimes with vocalisation.

Albatross wing bones are the premier material.

Whakaue lived nine generations before his descendant, Mohi Moke Aterea, who told Edward Tregear this story, hence our estimate of the date.

A pütorino reputed to be the actual instrument Tütänekai played is kept in the Auckland War Memorial Museum, and occasionally goes on display.

Source: Adapted from Te Kauhoetanga o Hinemoa ki Mokoia, part of Te Rangikaheke's "Commentary on 'Nga Moteatea me nga Hakirara'", an unpublished manuscript in the Grey collection at Auckland Public Library, printed in Selected Readings in Maori edited by Bruce Biggs. Written by Hugh Young.
© 1998 Akiko Internat. Inc.