Ngatoro-i-Rangi

Also known as: Ngatoro’ · Role: high-priest · First appears: Chapter XVII · The Coming of the Maori

In Chapter XVII, Tama-te-Kapua carried Ngatoro-i-Rangi across the ocean to serve as the Arawa’s high-priest. After discovering that Tama-te-Kapua had gained the affections of his wife, Kearoa, Ngatoro-i-Rangi directed the canoe toward the Waha-o-te-Parata, intending to destroy it and everyone aboard. His chant calmed the sea and the Arawa sailed on safely; at Whanga-paraoa the sea-worn pilgrims made landfall, and Ngatoro-i-Rangi and Kearoa settled on Motiti. The chapter says that a direct descendant of Ngatoro-i-Rangi is Te Heuheu Tukino, head chief of Taupo.

In Chapter XVIII, Ngatoro-i-Rangi steered the canoe into the western precipice, where darkness swallowed it, but at last took pity on Tama-te-Kapua and saved it. Ngatoro-i-Rangi took possession of the land and ascended Tongariro; as he grew paler in its cold, he offered incantations to the gods at Hawaiki. Fire came through the earth, ascended the mountain, and saved him from death.

Relationship record

Life events

Tama-te-Kapua carried the high-priest Ngatoro-i-Rangi off across the ocean to be the Arawa’s priest.(Chapter XVII · The Coming of the Maori · 📍 Arawa)
- With: Tama-te-Kapua
- “He carried him off across the ocean to be the Arawa’s priest”
Ngatoro-i-Rangi directed the Arawa toward the whirlpool, intending to destroy it and everyone aboard.(Chapter XVII · The Coming of the Maori · 📍 Waha-o-te-Parata)
- “So to this end he directed the bow of the Arawa straight towards the Waha-o-te-Parata, the Mouth of the Sea-monster, a terrible whirlpool, or maelstrom, in mid-ocean, which had sucked down many a vessel to destruction.”
Ngatoro-i-Rangi’s chant calmed the sea and enabled the canoe to sail on safely.(Chapter XVII · The Coming of the Maori · 📍 Waha-o-Parata)
- “And the mana tapu, the supernatural influence of that awa-moana, and of the Tohunga, was such that the terrific lashing of the sea was calmed, the gaping whirlpool closed again; the great billows ceased to tumble, the heavens grew light, and the canoe sailed on once more in safety over the long heaving swell of the Ocean of Kiwa.”
The sea-worn pilgrims made landfall at Whanga-paraoa.(Chapter XVII · The Coming of the Maori · 📍 Whanga-paraoa)
- “The first place where they landed was Whanga-paraoa (Whale Harbour), so called because they found a great sperm-whale stranded there.”
Ngatoro-i-Rangi and his wife settled on Motiti.(Chapter XVII · The Coming of the Maori · 📍 Motiti)
- “Ngatoro-i-Rangi the high-priest and his wife took up their abode on the island of Motiti.”
Ngatoro-i-Rangi steers the canoe into the western precipice, and darkness swallows it.(Chapter XVIII · Tradition--Tama-te-Kapua)
- With: Tama-te-Kapua
- “Wrathful over the insult Tama-te-Kapua had done to him, Ngatoro now steers the canoe into the western precipice: the Sun is setting, and night swallows the canoe; and in vain does Tama-te-Kapua call for help from Ngatoro: everything is swallowed in darkness.”
Ngatoro-i-Rangi takes pity and saves the canoe.(Chapter XVIII · Tradition--Tama-te-Kapua)
- With: Tama-te-Kapua
- “But at last Ngatoro takes pity and saves the canoe: the Sun ascends again in the East, and steers the canoe against the West, to Ao-tea-roa.”
Ngatoro-i-Rangi takes possession of the land.(Chapter XVIII · Tradition--Tama-te-Kapua)
- “Ngatoro takes possession of the land.”
Ngatoro-i-Rangi becomes nearly dead in Tongariro’s ice-cold atmosphere.(Chapter XVIII · Tradition--Tama-te-Kapua · 📍 Tongariro)
- “At last he ascends Tongariro, but his companions, whom he had left behind, saw that he became paler and paler as he reached the summit of Tongariro: the sun was frozen in the ice-cold atmosphere of the sacred mountain.”
Fire reaches Tongariro and saves Ngatoro-i-Rangi from death.(Chapter XVIII · Tradition--Tama-te-Kapua · 📍 Tongariro)
- “At last, nearly dead, Ngatoro offers incantations to the gods at Hawaiki, and they send the fire to him. It came through the paths of the Lower World and it burst through the earth on many places: at Roto-ehu, Roto-rua, Tarawera, and at many more places; but at last it ascended Tongariro, and created a volcano, and the fire and heat of the volcano saved Ngatoro-i-Rangi from a frightful death.”

Chapter XVII · The Coming of the Maori

married with Kearoa “Tama-te-Kapua clandestinely gained the affections of the lady Kearoa, the wife of Ngatoro-i-Rangi, who had accompanied her husband.”
younger kin: Te Heuheu Tukino “From Ngatoro’ sprang a line of powerful priests of Ariki rank, and one of his direct descendants is Te Heuheu Tukino, the present head chief of Taupo.”
enemies with Tama-te-Kapua “Tama-te-Kapua clandestinely gained the affections of the lady Kearoa, the wife of Ngatoro-i-Rangi, who had accompanied her husband. When Ngatoro’ discovered this, he resolved to destroy the canoe and all that were on board.”

Chapter XVIII · Tradition--Tama-te-Kapua

enemies with Tama-te-Kapua (Tama-te-Kapua's insult prompts Ngatoro's hostile action.) “Wrathful over the insult Tama-te-Kapua had done to him, Ngatoro now steers the canoe into the western precipice: the Sun is setting, and night swallows the canoe; and in vain does Tama-te-Kapua call for help from Ngatoro: everything is swallowed in darkness.”

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Extracted from the original text of Te Tohunga. Made with Rho MD.