Maori Explorers 2013

Te Kereru Toa

Ko Te Kererunui Te Toa! The land quakes with the resounding thud of myriad haka, the raucous noise of celebration. Kereru, the mighty fire waka has prevailed over all her foes. The final battle began in the sacred deserts high upon the volcanic plateau. Kereru in possession of many of the finest warriors and tacticians ever seen destroyed the combined forces of Tui and Kakapo on one front and then obliterated the powerful waka of Takahe on another battlefield. Tui and Kakapo made the fatal error of not investing in and raising up a strong force of elite warriors. They had several opportunities earlier on but never did take advantage. In the end they paid dearly when Kereru arrived on the scene replete with many great warriors. The final battles were almost anticlimactic because Kereru fought as like Te Wheke versus mere shrimps. Not even Takahe who had taken some precautions by raising up a cohort of advanced Toa were able to stop the Red Tide when it washed over them. It was clear to all present that the victors would be Kereru and so it came to pass. So we declare before all that Aotearoa is a Red land. A land fallen into the hands of the House of War and all other houses under their thrall. May it be so that they will show mercy to their defeated foes and may they be kind guardians to the whenua hou. No reira, i te timatanga ko te kore, Engari mo te wa nei ko Te Kereru, Kereru nui, Kereru roa, E tu! E tu!

Te Whenua Pakanga!

Piki Ake, Piki Ake! The air has filled with the sounds and sights of battle. The new land is unused to the horror of war. The royal houses of Tui and Kakapo waka have suffered grievous blows at the hands of the mighty Kereru and Takahe coalition. In the North, Takahe have breached the green and yellow defenses thus breaching the border. Meanwhile far to the South and East in the distant Urewera, a resurgent Kereru has decimated the forces of Tui House and prepare to make what could be a fatal blow. Great karakia have been incanted by the fire Tohunga of Kereru and the water mages of Takahe and they have been able to send powerfully enhanced warriors out against the green and gold coalition. All waka have learned the folly of not making proper provision for their armed forces. The old saying 'An army marches on its belly' rings so true. A great emergency is unfolding among the people of Tui and Kakapo. They must approach their Tohunga and seek arcane knowledge that might gain them some kind of advantage or even escape. It's not known how long it may be before one of these four great waka gains final ascendancy over the others but this reality cannot be far away. Kia Hiwa Ra E Nga Waka Katoa!