“Youthful Warrior”

​Werahiko was the son and only child of Paramount Chief, Hamiora Tengangae, who unexpectedly inherited his fathers distinguished title when the young boy foiled the plans of Taniwha King Waimakariri at the battle of “Te Putakari O Nga Hamutia,” and inherited the honoured chiefly position when his father fell in battle.

​When he was younger, Werahiko would soak in the amazing tales of his grandfather, Tengangae Hakarana, and wanted much to discover adventures of his own. This did not sit well with Hamiora, who wanted his son to understand the importance of being a Paramount leader.

​Werahiko would day-dream his days away, but remained mindful and respectful of the importance of mana for his father. This all changed when Werahiko decided to follow a Patupaiarehe (faerie) deep into the woods. Falling into a tomo (a deep uncovered hole), Werahiko discovered the spirit of Ra Tere – the last Aho who had died unexpectedly many years earlier – and a sacred greenstone pendant that was in the guardians possession when he fell. The greenstone – charged with powerful mana – would radiate when Taniwha were near.

​Meanwhile, his village was under attack by the Old Taniwha Waimakariri and a legion of Taniwha 30-strong in number. With help from the spirit of Ra Tere, he escaped the tomo and met up with Tu-hakawaewae – and the duo traveled the Far North in search of survivors of the village raid, whilst attempting to unite nearby iwi in the hope of taking down Waimakariri. During their travels, Werahiko also encountered the powerful Black Witch, Awhiana Topaia and the Eel Witch, Paewaru.

​At the end of his first adventure (“The Tail Of The Taniwha” ) Werahiko killed Waimakariri and reunited the tribes of the Far North. This effectively ended the Taniwha Wars, and he approved the hunt for the remaining creatures.

​Unknown to Werahiko, the pendant he inherited from Ra Tere unexpectedly granted him long-life. He survived his original wife and child, and took on a second union late in his extended life.

​Werahiko disappeared after the passing of his second wife; frail and very old, he left without his walking stick and without his pendant (now lost) and entered the nearby woods, never to be seen again.

​His progeny from his second wife continue the war against the Taniwha.