ORIGIN: Polynesian and Maori
TYPE: God of agriculture and cerator of the rainbow
INFORMATION: The son of Rongomai, Kahukura is invoked for the well-being of crops and in some regions the name appears to be synonymous with that of Rongomatane, the god of agriculture. Kahukura is particularly associated with a staple vegetable of the Maori, the kumara, a root tuber that was introduced to New Zealand by man and is said to possess many magical properties. Kahukura is not to be confused with a legendary character of the same name, a mortal hero who, in antiquity, learned the art of making fish nets.