Overview
Poutini - guardian of pounamu
Poutini is the name of a taniwha - a supernatural being. He is the guardian of Ngahue, the atua (god) associated with pounamu.
To this day, Poutini swims up and down the West Coast of the South Island, protecting both the people of the land and the mauri (spiritual essence) of pounamu. The West Coast region is known as Te Tai o Poutini - The Tides of Poutini.
A Ngāti Waewae iwi pūrākau (story of the Ngāti Waewae tribe)
There are several iwi (tribal) stories of the origins of pounamu. This Ngāti Waewae version tells of the journey of Poutini, Waitaiki, and Tamaahua. The story also maps other important sources of stone - and explains the Māori name for the West Coast.
Poutini kidnaps the beautiful Waitaiki
One day, the taniwha (supernatural being) Poutini comes to Tuhua (Mayor Island) in the Bay of Plenty. There, he sees a woman bathing - the beautiful Waitaiki. Enchanted, Poutini kidnaps her and takes her south. At various points along the way, he lights a fire to keep her warm.
Waitaiki’s husband, Tamaahua, searches for her
When Waitaiki’s husband, Tamaahua, discovers she is missing, he pursues Poutini and Waitaiki. He is aided by a magic tekateka (dart) that shows him the way.
Wherever Poutini has lit a fire, Tamaahua finds a valuable source of stone. The journey takes him to Tahanga in the Coromondel and then south. He travels past the Arahura River on the South Island’s West Coast as far as Piopiotahi (Milford Sound).
Tamaahua finds Waitaiki turned to stone
Finally, Tamaahua retraces his journey back to the Arahura River. There, he discovers Waitaiki turned into smooth inanga pounamu in the riverbed.
Poutini, sensing Tamaahua close behind, has transformed Waitaiki into his own essence. He has then slipped down the river and out to sea.
Te Tai o Poutini - the Tides of Poutini
Poutini still swims along the West Coast, acting as the kaitiaki (guardian) of pounamu. The region is named after him - Te Tai o Poutini, or the Tides of Poutini.
Ko Poutini - te kaitiaki o te pounamu
He ingoa taniwha a Poutini - he tipua nō te ao wairua. Koia te kaitiaki o Ngāhue, te atua e kiia nei koia te atua o te pounamu.
He kōrero motuhake tā tēnā iwi, tā tēnā iwi mō te takenga o te pounamu. E ai ki tētahi pūrākau nō Ngāti Waewae nā Poutini a Waitaiki i kāwhaki; ko Waitaiki te wahine ātaahua o Tamaahua, ā, ka rere ki te tonga. I whai anō a Tamaahua i tā rāua haere, ki te rapu i te wāhi i ngaro ai a Waitaiki. Ka whai haere tonu,ā, kitea rawatia atu e takoto ana i te kūkūpango o Arahura - kua whakakōhatutia e Poutini.
Mai i tērā rā ki nāianei kei te tere haere tonu a Poutini i te Tai Hauāuru o Te Waipounamu, i a ia e tiaki nei i te tangata whenua me te mauri o te pounamu. E mōhiotia ana te Tai Hauāuru o Te Waipounamu ko Te Tai o Poutini.