Taranga

Also known as: goddess of the Night-sun · Role: mother of Maui · First appears: Chapter VIII · Maui--The Creation of New Zealand · Part 2

In Chapter VIII · Maui--The Creation of New Zealand · Part 2, Taranga gives birth to Maui on the sea’s border, wraps him in her cut hair and casts him into the surf, believing he cannot live. When he later reveals himself as her youngest son, she believes and recognizes him. She also counts Maui-i-mua, Maui-i-roto, Maui-i-taha and Maui-i-pai among her sons.

In Part 3, Maui is again recognized as the son she cast into the sea. The next night he hides her garment and belt and blocks the openings so she cannot leave. After he changes from a pigeon into a man, Taranga welcomes him and tells the people the story of his birth, naming him “Maui-i-tiki-tiki-a-taranga.”

Chapter IX · Mahuika tells the story again: Taranga recognizes Maui, takes him into her house, and recognizes him again when he follows her as a pigeon to Hawaiki and throws berries at his father and the people.