[3] A non-final version premiered by Austral String Quartet two months earlier, on 1 July, in St. James' Hall, Sydney.
[3] The score was further revised by the composer, and the premier performance of the final version was held by the Austral String Quartet in Sydney on 6 September.
[11] In the forest guarded against man by the potency of a Karakia (talisman) grew the giant kauri (a beautiful New Zealand tree), from which Rata, the hero, would fashion the canoe to bear him across unknown seas.
Entering the forest as Taniwha (the grim monster) and Kotuku (a beautiful crane) were engaged in deadly combat, Rata felled the tree.
Changing into a beautiful Maiden, she told how the wicked Tohunga (priest) has cast a spell on her and Taniwha was endeavouring to make her reveal the Karakia.
Music suggestive of distant trumpets heralds the approach of Rata, whose splendid theme is allotted to the first violin and afterwards taken up by the cello.
In the Coda the hero's work is accomplished, and as evening falls restfully faint echoes of the combat reach the ear.
Fugitive thoughts of the noble canoe float across Rata's awakening sight until the second theme appears with a complete change of tonality.
The Trio shows the birds felling and shaping the giant Kauri, and as they work "sweet jargoning" embroiders the theme of Rata and the dream maiden.
A lull in the gaiety is expressed by an impressive ritard, and the hero's motive is heard once more, significant of the realization of a noble dream.