“The Dark Manaia”

​Most Māori priests (tohunga) practiced magic, and a few even went to great lengths to emulate the powerful spells of the Taniwha.

One of the greatest practitioners was Te Manaia-hiwa.

​Though little of his true past is known, he did hail from Whangaroa in the Far North. His magic was incredible, and he possessed the ability to alter his physical appearance, and cast spells of powerful elemental force. He used both Dark and White magic effectively, but submitted to unearthly demons to finally gain the power he truly desired.

​He formed an alliance with Taniwha during the early stages of the second Taniwha War, a decision that caused him to leave his iwi (tribe) and renounce his loyalty to the people.

​Steeped in unnatural magic, Te Manaia-hiwa extended his life and became a dangerous enemy of the Māori during the war, using subterfuge to gain domination over affected iwi.

​The struggling Māori people relied on the last remaining Aho to curb the power now possessed by this way-ward tohunga.

​In a pitched battle between Tawhaki and Te Manaia-hiwa, the Aho cast a powerful spell that land-locked the tohunga within a small area of thick, wild forest. Trapped within this unbreakable magic, Te Manaia-hiwa surrendered to his fate and withdrew defeated from the world.

​His current status is unknown, and the location of his final stand made tapu and hidden from human meddling.