Pukapuka o te Mate

Episode 4 - Pukapuka o te Mate (Based on a True Story) 

In my family, we have an old book written in Māori. Because I was considered the Māori one in the family, I was invited to look at the book, but I declined..

The only thing I know about the book is that it is as thick as the Bible and was hand-written by my great-grandfather in the old cursive style of the time. 

Growing up, I heard stories that anyone who touched the book died, so it was kept locked away at the old family homestead in a cupboard. Twenty years or so ago, there was a fire that burned the old homestead to the ground, but every single part of the house was burned to a crisp except for one cupboard that held the book. 

I have heard of other similar books over the years, including an urban legend that this story is based on, about a group of hikers who were found dead in an old, abandoned church. The cause of their deaths was unknown, and the only clue was a curious book found beside their bodies. 

T. A. Whero