Swim

This Māori traditional story is about two lovers who are forbidden to meet but find a way to be together. Hinemoa lives by Lake Rotorua, and Tūtānekai lives on the island, Mokoia. Hinemoa falls in love when Tūtānekai plays the flute. They vow to be together, and every night on the island, Tūtānekai plays his flute to guide Hinemoa to him. But Hinemoa’s father considers him an unsuitable match for his daughter, so he has all the canoes removed from the shore. With no canoe, Hinemoa must swim the lake with mystical creatures in it to be with Tūtānekai.