Ngaru

In a tradition from Mangaia in the Cook Islands, Ngaru (wave) was an ancient hero who lived in Avaiki (Hawaiki).

Family

His mother was Vaiare and his grandfather Moko (the great lizard). His wife was the beautiful Tongatea.

Myth

To prove his prowess, Ngaru conquered the monsters of the deep, descended to the underworld and returned to the land of the living where he subsequently defeated the sky fairies and Amai-te-rangi, a sky demon (Craig 1989:184, Gill 1876:225-250).

References

• R.D. Craig, Dictionary of Polynesian Mythology (Greenwood Press: New York, 1989).
• W.W. Gill, Myths and Songs from the South Pacific (H.S. King: London, 1876).