When Papa and Rangi were separated by their offspring, they both grieved. Papa’s grief was so much that Io-nui decided she should be turned over so that her face was down and could no longer see Rangi. He also wanted to stop the fighting amongst the primal offspring. He put Matāho in charge of this, who opened the reservoirs of the ocean, wind and rain. In this pool of water, Papa could be over turned and her limbs re-arranged. New land surfaced after the water receded. Papa now faced the underworld. Ruaumoko as the youngest offspring, was still a baby at her breast.

At the time of separation, Whiro wanted nothing to do with the light pursued by his brothers. He preferred to stay in Papa’s shelter and warmth. He also objected to Tane taking a leading role. For that reason he stayed objectionable, always fighting Tane and the others. He took his abode in the underworld, and was the instigator and cause of all bad feeling and quarrels amongst the primal offspring. Many battles were fought in all the realms. Tu was the most famous of his allies. The war was often fought against Tane’s Creations.

That is why the former Dawn Maid, Hine titama, decided to take her abode in the underworld when she found out the truth. It was to be with her grandmother, Papa, and to put herself between Whiro and her offspring’s spirits who came to reside there after death. Because Whiro wanted to prey on, and devour such spirits so as to annihilate them. Her new name became Hine-nui te-po.

Whiro as not appeased by Io’s action and carried on his war.