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HOME > Stories > Taniwha

Taniwha stories

Taniwha, a legendary monster that stalks unsuspecting prey along waterways or a guardian that watches over those under its protection?

Whatever image a person thinks of when they hear ‘taniwha’ the essence of the many facetted concept has been with Maori since the beginning of time. Today people are more likely to think of a huge ferocious lizard yet in Maori history taniwha came in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes taniwha were helpful spirits without a physical body or even the means by which curious children were warned away from danger. A treacherous bend on a river that was the lair of a taniwha, other peoples might say the home of a troll or bogeyman, kept all but the most mischief children far away. .

In the Wairarapa we have our own taniwha and supernatural beings. This collection provides the stories of a selection of them. Most of the taniwha are found in the Wairarapa although a few live a bit further away but still have a close association with the people of the region.

A majority of the stories have been written by the author although there are a couple of exceptions with the source provided.

Please feel free to use the material although an acknowledgement would be appreciated.

Joseph Potangaroa

  • Stories, Taniwha / November 15, 2015

    Matangi came from the Wairarapa

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  • Stories, Taniwha / November 15, 2015

    Patiki in the Waipoua River

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  • Stories, Taniwha / November 15, 2015

    Rakairuru drifted on Wairarapa Moana

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  • Stories, Taniwha / November 15, 2015

    Ngake and Whātaitai the taniwha of Wellington harbour

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  • Stories, Taniwha / November 15, 2015

    Tiokerere connects lakes

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Matangi came from the Wairarapa

Nanakia lived on Tararua maunga

Ngake and Whātaitai the taniwha of Wellington harbour

Ngarara Huarau lies beneath Uwhiroa

Okatia created Te Apiti

Owahanga river

Patiki in the Waipoua River

Peketahi guardian of Tamaki Nui A Rua

Rakairuru drifted on Wairarapa Moana

Rua taniwha

Te Wheke is at the Wairarapa Moana Trust Offices

Tiokerere connects lakes

Whangaimokopuna

quick links

  • Stories illustrated by Bronwyn Waipuka
  • All Stories
    • Hapuakorari
    • Hapuakorari, the lost lake
    • Helpful Kaitiaki
    • Ki te kohu te Turakirae, ka mate te tangata
    • Kupe
    • Ngai Tumapuhia-A-Rangi
    • Ngarara Huarau taniwha
    • Rua taniwha
    • Tangata tuna (eel man)
    • Te Aitu-o-te-Rangi
    • Matangi came from the Wairarapa
    • Nanakia lived on Tararua maunga
    • Ngake and Whātaitai the taniwha of Wellington harbour
    • Ngarara Huarau lies beneath Uwhiroa
    • Okatia created Te Apiti
    • Owahanga river
    • Patiki in the Waipoua River
    • Peketahi guardian of Tamaki Nui A Rua
    • Rakairuru drifted on Wairarapa Moana
    • Rua taniwha

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