Manutukutuku

A treasured kite lost to the winds, brings much joy when found again. 
The importance and significance of kite-making and kite flying to the iwi of Tūranganui-a-Kiwa are obvious when the genealogies and history are looked at.  Rongo, the patron of the arts, was closely associated with manutukutuku.  Tāne (Tāne-māhuta - Tāne the flyer) and Rēhua (the star antares) play important spiritual roles in the rituals of kite flying. There was Tāwhaki, who attempted to ascend to the heavens upon a kite, and then onto Hawaiki and the tumultuous times of Uenuku, Paikea and Ruatapu. It was whilst retrieving his wayward kite from the roof-top of his father's house that Ruatapu was condemned an illegitimate son, "ka kīia a Ruatapu e Uenuku ki te tama meamea". These remarks led to the catastrophe known as Te Huripureiata, a slaughter of the first-born sons of Hawaiki at sea; and Paikea's eventual landfall at Ahuahu.
Tahu-pōtiki was informed of his brother's death by a messenger kite flying high above the hill Pukehapopo at Whangara-mai-tawhiti. The murder of Kahutapere's twin sons Tarakiuta and Tarakitai by Rākaihikuroa was uncovered by the flying of kites sent to seek out the assassins.  Finally, Rongowhakaata was a kite flyer of some repute. These are but a few events where the flight of the manutukutuku plays a role.