Tinirau and the Whale

This pūrākau tells of the Chief Tinirau who avenges the death and slaughter of his pet whale Tutunui. An honoured guest is gifted a taonga from the tohorā, but his greed sees him take much more. It is a tale of treachery, revenge and magic deeds. Many versions are known and told through Aotearoa and the Pacific Islands.

Transcript 

Tinirau 

Wooohooo! 

Auē! Tutunui. 

Kae 

[Blessing in te reo Māori] 

Nau mai e tama, kia mihi atu au i haere mai koe i te kunenge mai o te tangata. I roto i te āhuru mōwai. Ka taka te pai o huaki pouri.  

Tinirau 

Thank you for your blessing, Kae. Please accept this offering from Tutunui in gratitude. 

Kae 

Mmmm. [Burps] Thank you, Tinirau. Such a beautiful animal, may I ride him home?

Tinirau

I have a waka prepared.

Kae 

Tinirau, did I not just bless your son? 

[Laughs] Further, further! Don’t stop! I can’t reach the shore from here – further! I still can’t reach the shore. Further! 

A gift from Tinirau! 

Tinirau 

Hmmm. 

Hina 

Don’t worry my darling. Tutunui will be back soon. 

Kae 

To Tutunui – Tinirau’s favourite whale. 

Tinirau 

[Wails in pain]

Hina

We come in peace – we’re here to entertain you.

Man

In that case, you’ll perform in the house of Kae tonight.

Hina

Oh … Tutunui!

Woman One

How will we know which one is Kae?

Hina

He has a large gap between his teeth.

Woman One

I see no one with a gap in their teeth.

Hina

Hmmm.

Woman One

[Squeals]

Men

[Laughing]

Woman Two

Only one man is resisting our magic.

Hina

Kae.

A good trick, Kae.

Kae

Auē! Where am I?

Hina

He will be part of our pātaka forever.

Tinirau

And now, Kae, I must do to you what you did to my friend …

AcknowledgementsTinirau and the Whale, 2007. © Te Papa