In one simplified whakapapa tradition, kiore are descendants of Hinamoki, a junior sibling/cousin of Tānemahuta, ancestor of mankind and life on land, in the cosmic whakapapa that structure Māori knowledge of the natural world.
Kiore are recorded as running back to their human owner Ruanui, in traditions from the northern iwi of the Māmari waka. The closeness between humans and kiore explains why kiore featured in wharenui carvings and names of people and places.
Kiore were also part of everyday Māori customs as shown by references in waiata, haka and metaphors captured in whakataukī comparing aspects of kiore life with that of humans.
Learn more about kiore in this article.
Image: Kiore – Pacific rat (Rattus exulans).
