Kiwa (mythology)

Kiwa is one of several male divine guardians of the ocean in the traditions of some Māori tribes of the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand.

A poetic name for the Pacific Ocean is Te moana nui a Kiwa (The great ocean of Kiwa). Kiwa's first wife, in some of these traditions, was Parawhenuamea, ancestor of streams that flow from the land to the sea and of fresh water generally. Kiwa's second wife was Hinemoana (Ocean woman), a personification of the sea. Kiwa and Hinemoana had a number of children.^[1]

Children

The names and numbers of their children vary in different accounts. One version names ten children and for most of these, gives details about the creatures they gave rise to:^[2]

1. Pipihura, ancestor of the cockle.
2. Te Uru-kahikahika, source of
   eels
   , lampreys and frostfish.
3. Wharerimu, ancestor of seaweed.
4. Hine-tapiritia, ancestor of certain
   molluscs
   and oysters.
5. Te Raengawha, origin of
   sea urchins
   , as well as various fishes.
6. Te Kiri-pakapaka, origin of the snapper and the gurnard.
7. Whatu-maomao, whose offspring include the grouper, the
   kingfish
   , and the kahawai.
8. Te Kohurangi
9. Kapuwai
10. Kaiwahawera, ancestor of the octopus.

Others say that Kiwa is the brother of Hinemoana, or her guardian.