Taniwha Nui (TAH-nee-fah NOO-ee)

History

Taniwha Nui (pronounced TAH-nee-fah NOO-ee) is a gigantic monster, or kaiju, named after the Māori mythical creature Taniwha. Its name, from Māori, means "Great Taniwha" or "Large Taniwha" and it lives up to its appellation.
Researchers believe that during The Change, a mystic bolt slammed into the Pacific Ocean near New Zealand and temporarily opened a portal to another dimension allowing the creature to enter our world. For years, the creature slumbered in the deep trenches and abysses near the island nation, making rare appearances and may have been responsible for various unsolved ship disappearances. As rumors spread, some Māori in New Zealand began to refer to this creature, still unsubstantiated at the time, as Taniwha, a creature from Māori folklore of a sometimes dangerous creature that could take on different forms, including that of a giant sea monster. As stories continued to surface, and reports of the size of the creature continued to grow, the Māori started calling the creature Taniwha Nui.
It wasn't until 2005, when a collision of a Royal New Zealand Naval frigate, the HMNZS Te Kaha, and Taniwha Nui occured west of the island nation, that the existence of Taniwha Nui was confirmed. The creature surfaced and was immediately fired upon by the Te Kaha with virtually no effect other than to enrage the creature. It swiped at the frigate, tearing massive fissures nearly from stem to stern. Its anger abated, the creature dove under the surface leaving the Te Kaha to limp back to port. Additional conflicts between the kaiju and the New Zealand Navy ended in virtually the same way and the Admiralty came to the conclusion that the creature only attacked when it was attacked. General orders were issued that, unless being directly attacked or unless the creature was attacking civilian vessels, ships were not to engage Taniwha Nui but to steer clear of the creature. For the next several years, this seemed to avoid any serious conflicts.
However, in 2022, the creature launched a series of seemingly unprovoked attacks on the port cities of Timaru, Lyttleton, and even on Wellington casuing massive destruction. Eventually it was discovered that a supervillain named Te Kōkiri had created a bond between himself and Taniwha Nui to share the creatures power and to be able to control the kaiju. Fortunately, Captain Australia, with the help of the nature mystic Aroha Te Mana, was able to sever the bond between Te Kōkiri and Taniwha Nui which freed the creature from the evil mystic's control, weakening him at the same time. The kaiju turned on his former enslaver and, apparently, swallowed him whole before slipping below the waves and returning to the depths of his adopted home. Neither Taniwha Nui nor Te Kōkiri have been seen since this encounter.

Abilities

Research and observation have been ongoing since the 2005 encounter and Taniwha Nui has the following verified abilities:

1. Tsunami Summoner: Taniwha Nui can create massive waves and tsunamis with a single swipe of its tail, capable of devastating coastal areas.
2. Bioluminescent Glow: Its body can emit a bioluminescent glow, allowing it to navigate and hunt in the darkest depths of the ocean. This glow can also be used to blind or confuse enemies.
3. Earthshaker: With its immense size and strength, Taniwha Nui can cause earthquakes by stomping on the ground, destabilizing structures and creating fissures.
4. Regenerative Healing: Taniwha Nui possesses rapid healing abilities, allowing it to recover from injuries quickly, making it incredibly resilient in battle.
5. Elemental Breath: It can unleash a powerful breath attack that combines elements of water and lightning, creating a devastating torrent of electrified water.
6. Telepathic Communication: Taniwha Nui can communicate telepathically with other sea creatures, commanding them to assist in battles or protect its territory.
7. Camouflage: It can blend into its surroundings, making it nearly invisible in the water, perfect for ambushing prey or avoiding detection.