Whakaotirangi was a Māori experimental gardener and early New Zealand scientist. Her name has been translated as "completion from the sky" or "the heavens complete". In some accounts, Whakaotirangi was the daughter of Memeha-o-te-rangi, and the wife of Ruaeo, but she was kidnapped by Tama-te-kapua, the captain of the Arawa canoe, and brought to New Zealand circa 1350. Early accounts describe her as a leader, who may even have contributed to the building of the canoe.