Black magic calls the shots on Hauraki Gulf

By SCOTT KARA

A taniwha who keeps watch over the Waitemata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf could be to blame for the good and bad luck America's Cup crews are experiencing.

The Italians will be hoping good luck is on their side in the remaining races to come back from behind.

But could their mixed fortunes - including breaking a mast and winning the Louis Vuitton Cup - be because of a supreme taniwha (spirit) called Rangiriri Rakau Whakangau Tai? A translation of his name reads, "The totara log that goes against the tide."

Rangiriri was known by Maori as a prank-playing taniwha from the Wairoa River, which feeds the Kaipara Harbour.

He wreaked havoc in the Kaipara.

But Weretapou Tito, from the Parawhau hapu in Northland and a member of the Ngati Whatua tribe, believes the taniwha is keeping a watchful and mischievous eye over the America's Cup.

"This is taniwha territory," he says. "What Rangiriri is really saying is, 'Let's have a good fight but keep it clean'."

The taniwha's exploits on the gulf during the America's Cup also include throwing a few obstacles in the way of the yachts.

But he is not out for blood. Mr Tito says the shedding of blood is sacred and taken very seriously by Maori, which means Rangiriri had nothing to do with the bloody incident in which Italian bowman Max Sirena was injured.

However, Mr Tito says Rangiriri probably had something to do with Young America's breaking in half and AmericaOne's sail blowing apart at a crucial stage of its race with Prada during the finals of the challenger series.

AmericaOne's skipper, Paul Cayard, may think twice about using green sails if he has to come back for a Cup attempt in three years.

"Green sails are not popular on the Waitemata," says Mr Tito. "He [Rangiriri] eats green sails for breakfast."

Green, or kakariki, is a sacred colour for Maori and green lizards are a sign to be careful. Rangiriri features on the stern post of the Ngati Whatua war canoe Mahuhu o te Rangi, which was launched at the 1990 Waitangi Day celebrations and frequents the Waitemata.

"In modern times [the taniwha] appeared in person on the Waitemata as recently as 1990 and that's where he is now," says Mr Tito.

Rangiriri is keen for Prada to challenge Team New Zealand for the America's Cup, he says, because of the similarities between Maori and Italians.

"Italians have their superstitions and Maori their legends. Italians are very vital and of course they sing a lot as well."

Mr Tito says some people may think it is a fable. But he says: "I'm sharing something with the people out there; whether they will take any notice is another story."