Maero

What it is

The Maero, also called Mohoao, are supernatural people in Māori stories. They are iwi-atua, which means spirit clans or tribes. These beings live in the wild parts of New Zealand. You can find them in the mountains and deep forests. The South Island and the Tararua Range are common homes for them. They are known as giants or wild men of the woods. Their nature is often violent and mean. They carry heavy stone clubs to fight. They have dark hair all over their bodies. Their fingers are long and bony. Their nails are sharp like knives. They hunt humans and animals for food.

Where it comes from

These beings hold anger toward the Māori people. The Māori arrived from Hawaiki. The Maero believe the newcomers displaced them. They think the Māori ruined the tapu of their lands. Tapu refers to sacredness or spiritual restriction. This loss forced the Maero into harsh alpine areas. They now dwell in inhospitable regions. The land is less welcoming than before. This history explains their hostility. It sets the stage for conflict between the two groups.

Tools and materials

The Maero use stone clubs as weapons. These tools help them attack others. They rely on physical strength and sharp nails. Their appearance includes dark body hair. Long bony fingers aid in grasping. Sharp fingernails serve as natural weapons. These features make them dangerous opponents. The stone clubs show their connection to the earth.

What it is for

They act to protect their remaining territory. They view humans as invaders. Their goal is to kill and eat prey. Both humans and animals fall victim. This behavior keeps them separate from society. It reinforces their role as wild beings. Fear of them keeps people away from certain areas. This serves to maintain boundaries between worlds.

Peoples and places

The Maero belong to Māori tradition. They are part of the cultural heritage of New Zealand. Stories about them vary by region. In Whanganui, Tuao told tales of encounters. Tuao was chief of Upper Whanganui. His story involves Tukoio, a mortal man. Tukoio fought a maero and cut off its limbs. He brought the head back home. The head spoke and asked for help. Tukoio feared a clan attack. He left the head and returned later. The maero had reassembled itself. It walked back into the forest. This shows their resilience and power.

What people believe

They are seen as guardians of wild spaces. Their anger stems from displacement. They feel wronged by human arrival. The concept of tapu is central here. Sacredness was violated by outsiders. This violation caused their retreat. They exist outside normal human society. Their cannibalism marks them as dangerous. They represent the untamed force of nature. Humans must respect these boundaries.

Compare and confuse

They are similar to other wild man myths. The Moehau is another related figure. Patupaiarehe are also forest spirits. Human cannibalism links them to global legends. The wild man archetype appears worldwide. Each culture adapts the basic idea. New Zealand adds unique local details. The stone club is a specific trait.

Questions people ask about Maero

Good reading and sources

• Maero on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data