At the North Cape and at Bay of Islands the tradition refers to a large country situated to the north and northwest of New Zealand, called Ulimaraa or Oudi-mara (English, Ortagi), a land exposed to the heat of the sun and abounding in hogs. Some of the New Zealand ancestors went there at one time in a large canoe, and only a few returned, having been absent about one month. Another tradition mentions that a small vessel came from that country; four of the crew landed at Tatara-nui and were killed by the New Zealanders.
New Zealand is called by the natives “Aotea-roa.” The North Island is called “Ika-na-Maui,” and the South Island, “Kauai-Punamu.”
The Ngatipaoa tribe count fifteen generations since their ancestors left Hawaiki and came to New Zealand.
One of the canoes, in which they came, was called Arawa. It was made from a “Torara tree that was cut down in Rarotonga, which lies on the other side of Hawaiki.” When another of these emigrant canoes, called the Kainui was ready, Rata, one of the builders, slew the son of Manaia and hid his body in the chips and shavings of the canoes. This resembles the Hawaiian legend of Paao and his brother when the former left for Hawaii.
No hogs were in New Zealand in Cook’s time, or for some time afterwards.
As in most of the Polynesian tribes, New Zealand women are admitted to the succession in the government; so also with the Battas in Sumatra.
Among the Battas, the descendants of the rajahs form a class in society, similar to the rangatiras of New Zealand, Tahiti and other Polynesian tribes.
The kampong, or fortified places of the Battas are nearly identical with the pa of the New Zealanders.
The three gods of the Battas, Batara-Guru, Sora-Pada and Maugala-Bulong, correspond in attributes to the New Zealand Maui-Rangi, Tauraki and Maui-Mua. The first is the great god of all, the second has power over the air and all between heaven and earth, and the last rules over the earth.
Cannibalism is common to both nations; also polygamy.