Te Kupenga a Whaitiri

Whaitiri, the atua of thunder, lived in the overworld with her husband and children. But she was a cannibal, one who consumed the flesh of men.

She heard of a man living in Te Ao Mārama (Earth) named Kaitangata — which means “man-eater” — and came down to marry him. Unfortunately for Whaitiri, Kaitangata didn’t live up to his name and didn’t share her appetite for human flesh.

One day, while Kaitangata was away, Whaitiri spotted two of his cousins fishing nearby. She swam out, killed one with her tao (spear) and the other with her kōripi (basalt knife).

She placed their bodies in her net and dragged them to the shallows, then ordered the village women to bring them ashore.

When Kaitangata returned, he was deeply upset. Whaitiri demanded he perform a karakia to remove the tapu from the dead men so she could eat them. He didn’t know the correct incantation, so Whaitiri attempted it herself. Her effort failed — but she ate the flesh anyway.

In time, this act caused Whaitiri to go blind.