In Maori mythology, the Hotupuku (more commonly rendered Hotu-Puku) was a giant lizard monster responsible for people disappearing when traveling between Rotorua and Taupo (two locations on the North Island of New Zealand). The people of Rotorua thought a neighboring tribe was responsible and sent out a war party. When they reached Kapenga, between the 2 locations, they found Hotu-Puku. The first assault was a major loss, killing many warriors, so they fled and reorganized. Purahokura (or Pitaka, depending on the account) led a second assault of Rotorua warriors, which managed to defeat the beast by using rope to strange the beast. When they cut the beast open, they found the remains of the warriors from the first assault and all the traveling parties which disappeared. The warriors roaste