Tāwhaki is told of an attack on his parents’ pākainga. With that news comes an even greater loss: the death of his father, Hema, and the capture of his mother, Urutonga, by the Ponaturi.
Determined to act, Tāwhaki and his teina Karihi set out and eventually discover Manawatāne, the hidden dwelling of the Ponaturi. There they are reunited with their mother. Urutonga warns them of the cruelty of the Ponaturi and urges them to leave while they still can. She tells them of the Ponaturi’s sick amusement — how they rattle Hema’s bones on the porch of Manawatāne.
Tāwhaki refuses to retreat. He is resolute in freeing his mother and avenging his father.
Urutonga explains that the Ponaturi are creatures of the sea by day, but come ashore at night to sleep. It is her duty to warn them before dawn so they can return to the moana. Hearing this, Tāwhaki immediately understands the nature of the beings they face and devises a plan.
Through karakia, Tāwhaki and Karihi cloak themselves in invisibility and hide within the ceiling of Manawatāne. When the Ponaturi return in their hordes, the brothers descend from their hiding place. Together with Urutonga, they block the windows and doors.
As the Ponaturi ask whether it is time to rise, Urutonga replies:
“No. It is the big night, the long night — the night when sleep is good. Go back to sleep.”
When Tamanuiterā stands high in the sky and the Ponaturi ask again, she finally answers yes.
At that moment, Tāwhaki and Karihi tear away the coverings from the windows and doors. Daylight floods Manawatāne, and the Ponaturi are destroyed by the sun. The brothers then burn Manawatāne and destroy the remains of the Ponaturi, ending their terror.
Giclée inkjet print
210gsm Premium Pro Matte paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Limited to 20 copies only
Certificate of Authenticity included
$5 from every print is donated to KidsCan
Tāwhaki is told of an attack on his parents’ pākainga. With that news comes an even greater loss: the death of his father, Hema, and the capture of his mother, Urutonga, by the Ponaturi.
Determined to act, Tāwhaki and his teina Karihi set out and eventually discover Manawatāne, the hidden dwelling of the Ponaturi. There they are reunited with their mother. Urutonga warns them of the cruelty of the Ponaturi and urges them to leave while they still can. She tells them of the Ponaturi’s sick amusement — how they rattle Hema’s bones on the porch of Manawatāne.
Tāwhaki refuses to retreat. He is resolute in freeing his mother and avenging his father.
Urutonga explains that the Ponaturi are creatures of the sea by day, but come ashore at night to sleep. It is her duty to warn them before dawn so they can return to the moana. Hearing this, Tāwhaki immediately understands the nature of the beings they face and devises a plan.
Through karakia, Tāwhaki and Karihi cloak themselves in invisibility and hide within the ceiling of Manawatāne. When the Ponaturi return in their hordes, the brothers descend from their hiding place. Together with Urutonga, they block the windows and doors.
As the Ponaturi ask whether it is time to rise, Urutonga replies:
“No. It is the big night, the long night — the night when sleep is good. Go back to sleep.”
When Tamanuiterā stands high in the sky and the Ponaturi ask again, she finally answers yes.
At that moment, Tāwhaki and Karihi tear away the coverings from the windows and doors. Daylight floods Manawatāne, and the Ponaturi are destroyed by the sun. The brothers then burn Manawatāne and destroy the remains of the Ponaturi, ending their terror.
Giclée inkjet print
210gsm Premium Pro Matte paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Limited to 20 copies only
Certificate of Authenticity included
$5 from every print is donated to KidsCan
