In Polynesian mythology (Maori), 'Tukoio, a mortal man, once found a maero and attacked it, cutting of its arms, legs and head. He brought the head back, but it was still alive and called for help. Tukoio did not want to fight a whole clan of maero, so he dropped it and came back later with reinforcements, but the maero had put itself back together and returned to the forest.