Tane-rore

In Maori mythology, Tane-Rore is the personification of shimmering air as he performs a haka for his mother Hine-ruamati.

Family

Tama-nui-te-ra had two wives, Hine-takurua and the Summer maid Hine-raumati. The child of Tama-nui-te-ra and Hine-raumati, Tane-rore is credited with the origin of dance.

The wiriwiri trembling hand action performed during the haka dance is a physical representation of the shimmering heat referred to in 'Te haka a Tanerore'.

It is Maori belief that on occasions when the land is so hot that the air shimmers, you can see Tane-rore perform a haka for his mother. The wiriwiri or shimmering air is reminiscent of his trembling hand actions.

References

• Best, Elsdon (7 October 1901). "The Diversions of the Whare Tapere: Some Account of the various Games, Amusements, and Trials of Skill practised by the Maori in Former Times.". Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 1868-1961.
• "'HAKA', from An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, originally published in 1966.". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.