Maori myths and legends
THE BATTLE OF THE MOUNTAINS retold by Peter Gossage.
Writing: For writing we were learning how to retell a Maori myth or legend from the beginning to the end, in our own words.
I hope you enjoy Taureikura's retell.
Long long ago Maui pulled up a huge fish called Te Ika a Maui.
In the middle of the island stood up a group of seven mountains. There was a mighty chief called Tongariro. His wife was the beautiful mountain Pihanga. There was another mountain called Taranaki, he hated Tongariro because he loved Pihanga too. There were two more mountains called Tauhara and Putauaki and they also loved her.
Taranaki started a fight with Tongariro. Then Putauaki and Tauhara threw lava and rocks. They all had a fight but Tongariro was too strong because he had more rocks and lava. The three mountains lost the battle and they retreated and went away.
Retold by Taureikura.
