Page "Poukai" Paragraph 2

In some Māori legends Pouakai kill humans, which could have been possible if the name relates to the Haast's Eagle given the massive size and strength of the bird ( which is believed to have hunted Moa weighing up to ).

Such a creature could very well have killed and eaten humans, Haast's Eagles did not become extinct until several hundred years after the arrival of the Māori.