 Punga's father was Tangaroa, atua of the sea.When Tāwhirimātea made war against his brothers for separating Rangi and Papa, Ikatere and Tū-te-wehiwehi had to flee, and Ikatere fled to the sea and became an ancestor of fishes, while Tū-te-wehiwehi took refuge in the forest and fathered lizards.Before Tū-te-wehiwehi and Ikatere fled, they disputed together as to what they should do to escape from the storms.