Thick North Island bush

Thick North Island bush

The deep bush, a source of birds, was also the haunt of fairy folk and ogres. In the North Island ogres were known as maero and were especially feared. They were said to have retreated to the forests of Taranaki and Whanganui when people arrived from Hawaiki. In the South Island’s rainforests these ogres were known as māeroero, and were said to pounce upon unwary travellers.