Rongo, the traditional god pictured above was a great Polynesian deity, worshipped in almost every part of the Pacific. He was a child of Heaven and Earth (Rangi and Papa). To New Zealand Maori he was the god of kumara and other cultivated food. He participated along with some of his siblings in the separation of his parents, who were entwined, in order to bring daylight to the world.

Rongo is also referred to as the god of the left side of man. In Mangaia he was a child of Vatea-Daylight (and Papa); he was born twin with Tangaroa and since he was born first, he was considered more important. Rongo was also the elder brother to Tongaiti, (lizard god), to Tangiia and to Tanepapakai.

His home was A’ua’u in Hawaiki (from which Mangaia derives it’s other name). His wife was called Taka. He had a daughter called Tavake by whom he fathered three children - Rangi, Mokoiro and Akatauira. He was a great divinity in Mangaia, a wargod whose name was used as an equivalent for deadly hate - "kua noo a rongo ki roto iaia - Ronga (anger) fills his heart; spear wounds are called the scars of Rongo. Oro a mighty divinity of Tahiti and Raiatea is thought to be Rongo but this is highly debatable. In Tahiti Rongo was known as a war god.