Maori name for a mythical monster.
1820. `Grammar and Vocabulary of Language of New Zealand'(Church Missionary Society), p. 207:
«Taniwa, s. a sea-monster so called.»
1842. W. R. Wade, `Journey in New Zealand' (Hobart Town),p. 34:
«Hearing us use the word tapu, as we looked towards it,one of our boatmen quickly repeated that the place was tapuedfor the tanewa (a water demon). `And I wonder,' was hisirreverent addition, `what this same tanewa may be! An old potleg, perhaps!'»
1896. `Otago Witness,' Jan. 23, p. 51, col. 2:
«The river at one time is reported as having been infested withtaniwhas – – gigantic fish that used to swallow the natives – – and aMaori pointed out a deep pool under some willows, and told mehis grandfather had been seized by one of these monsters atthat spot, dragged to the bottom and eaten. This taniwha,which was about forty feet in length and had a long mane, wasin the habit of sometimes standing almost erect in the water,and frightening the women and children out of their wits. Ithad a tremendous-sized head, and its mouth somewhat resembledthe beak of a very large bird. Its neck was about six feet incircumference and was covered with scales, as likewise its bodydown to its tail, which was formed by a series of fin-shapedprojections, and somewhat resembled in form the tail of a greyduck. It had two short legs which were as big around as thebody of a half-grown pig, and with one kick it could knock ahole through the stoutest canoe.»