This landmark publication comprises two manuscripts written in the 1870s by one of the greatest tohunga of Ngāti Porou.

Mohi Ruatapu, of Tokomaru Bay, was one of the teachers at the last Whare Wānanga (School of Learning) on the East Coast, north of Tūranga (Gisborne district). Much later, as an old man, he recorded the myths, legends and songs of his people.

Mohi Ruatapu’s writings are regarded as the most important single body of writing on myth produced by any nineteenth-century Māori writer. Hitherto, only a few short extracts have been published. This new work includes the Māori text in full with an introduction, English translation and annotations.