Patupaiarehe

Patupaiarehe are pale, fairy-like people in Māori tradition, dwelling in misty mountains and forests, playing enchanting flute music and avoiding sunlight. They kidnap beautiful humans—especially red-haired women—for mates, leading to tales of lost loved ones or hybrid descendants. Their pale skin and red hair suggest an otherworldly or ancestral origin. Patupaiarehe embody mystery and the allure of the wild, serving as cautionary figures about venturing too far into nature and the dangers of enchantment in Māori oral stories.