Hinenuitep

Hinenuitepō (often written Hinenuitepō, with alternative spellings such as Hinenuitep) is a prominent figure in Māori mythology, regarded as the personification of death and the ruler of the underworld. The name translates to “Great Woman of the Night” and she is associated with the afterlife realm known in some traditions as Rarohenga.

As the embodiment of death, Hinenuitepō is described as the custodian of the souls of the deceased, guiding them from the living world to the afterlife. In many accounts the journey of the departed is linked to the path to the underworld, with some traditions placing the destination at Rarohenga and the route near Te Rerenga Wairua, the northern Cape Reinga. Details of the myth vary among iwi, but she is commonly portrayed as the gatekeeper of death and the guardian of the dead.

A widely known legend involving Hinenuitepō concerns Maui, the trickster demigod who seeks immortality for humanity. In one version Maui attempts to enter the goddess’s body as a newborn to steal the life-force inside, hoping to overturn death. He is said to be discovered—often when Hinenuitepō yawns or stirs—after which the opportunity is lost and death remains a permanent condition. This tale situates death within a broader cosmology that frames mortal existence as finite.

Hinenuitepō appears in chants, stories, and proverbs addressing death, remembrance, and the fate of the living. Regional variations reflect different genealogies and interpretations across Māori communities.