taniwha
miracles of the environment
Sometimes the environment provided for our people in ways that were easy to understand, but other times Atua responded in miraculous ways.
Many stories speak of taniwha or tipua that emerged at times of great need to assist people. These creatures inspired our tuupuna, and in some cases became guides to convey our tuupuna on their journey
"To my whānau, Kaiwhare was a giant orca, who represented both the harbour's power and its perils."
- Dr Isaac Warbrick (Ngāti Te Ata, Te Arawa, Ngā Puhi)
Some talk of our revered tuupuna arriving at Aotearoa from the islands on the back of giant creatures who later became kaitiaki - guardians, of places like Te Mānukanuka o Hoturoa, known now as the Manukau harbour. These taniwha often provided warnings - about potential hazards or issues arising within the environment or the people.
- Dramatization, ARA Journeys
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