The Patupairehe are white-skinned fairies found in Maori mythology.
Description
Patupairehe have the general appearance of humans, except for being exceedingly pale. They only go out at nite and remain hidden in their caves during the day.
Places
The patupairehe were supposed to inhabit large fortified villages in the cloudy summits of the hills, and frequented certain localities throughout New Zealand. The peaks of the Pirongia Mountain are their favorite place but they have been seen as far south as Foveaux Strait. At times their presence was revealed in the ghostly piping of flutes and the sound of fairy songs heard in the misty forest heights
Behavior
They are hostile to humans. Patupairehe frequently take human lovers, with the men of the species being skilled at arousing human women with their flute. The patupairehe are known to fear the sun, fire, ash, and the color red. They are also repulsed by the smell of cooked food.
Story
Once, a long time ago, a man came across the remains of a fish left on the beach. He found it odd that someone would abandon their catch, so he hid and waited for the fishermen to return. At midnight the patupairehe showed up and cast their magical fish nets. The man, who had fairly pale skin for a human, joined them unnoticed as they worked. Once they brought in the nets, they proceeded to string the fish they caught. The man struggled and so the patupairehe showed him how to do it.
As dawn approached, the patupairehe realized that the man, was well, a man. They argued amongst themselves as to what to do. Before they knew it, the sun was rising and they fled.