Pū Rākau Atua
Ko Hineteiwaiwa e atua mō ngā wāhine, te whakawhānau tamariki, me te whare pora. Hineteiwaiwa is celebrated as the goddess of woven arts. She symbolizes creativity and expertise in crafting these taonga, highlighting the significance of weaving in Māori culture. The first child of Hinetītama and Tāne Mahuta, Hineteiwaiwa is also seen as an example for Māori women and the caretaker of childbirth.
Ko Hine-tītama te atua o te ata hāpara. Hine-tītama is a special goddess of the morning light. One day, Hine-tītama discovered something very surprising. She realized that her husband, Tāne Mahuta, was also her father. Feeling sad and confused, she chose to go to Te Pō, where she transformed into Hine-nui-te-Pō. In this place, she looks after those who have passed on.
Hine-te-Uira is the daughter of Tāne Mahuta and Hineahuone. She represents the personification of lightning and the supernatural forces connected to it. Lightning and thunder were perceived as expressions of ngā atua ki roto i te te taiao. The expression Te ahi tipua a Hine-te-uira is a saying denoting the fire Hine-te-Uira carries.
Ko Hineraukatauri te atua o ngā taonga puoro. Ko ia te kaitiaki o te kōauau me ētahi atu taonga e rite ana ki te kōauau. Hineraukatauri is a Māori deity associated with music and te whare tapere. Hineraukatauri loved her pūtōrino so much that she transformed herself into a moth, and her pūtōrino became her cocoon.
Ko Niwareka te mokopuna a Hinenuitepō rāua Ko Rūaumoko. A Tūhere from Rarohenga, she is connected to Māori stories about the origins of tā moko (tattooing) and weaving. In one important story, Niwareka creates a cloak called Te Rangi Haupapa which goes on to provide the pattern for weaving in Te Ao Tūroa. It is said that the pattern on this cloak was created by Hine-Rau-Whārangi, the daughter of Hine Tītama and Tāne Mahuta.
Hineahuone is the first woman. She was created by the god Tāne Mahuta, who gathered red clay, shaped it into a female figure, and breathed life into her. This story symbolizes the close connection between humans and the natural world, underlining our origins in the earth and our relationship with the environment and the gods.
Ko Tāne Mahuta te atua o te ngahere me ngā oranga o roto. Tāne's special place is in the forest, where he watches over the plants and animals. He's considered the guardian of these natural spaces and embodies the Māori belief in the deep connection between humans and the natural world. He played a vital role in separating his parents, who were initially entwined, bringing light to the world.
Ko Tāwhirimatea te atua o te hau me ngā āwhā. Tāwhirimatea opposed the separation of his parents because he considered it a disturbance to the natural order and balance of the world. He then withdrew to the realm of winds and rain, where he governs storms and weather-related events.
Ko Rongomātāne te atua o te kūmara me ngā kai whakatō. Rongomātāne is often associated with cultivated crops, especially the kūmara (sweet potato), and is considered a god of agriculture and cultivation. Rongo is also associated with the concept of peace
Ko Whiro te pūtake o te kino o te ao. In Te Ao Māori Whiro is often associated with darkness, chaos, and malevolence. However, there is a common misconception that Whiro is the god of evil. It's important to understand that the concept of good and evil in Māori mythology is not as straightforward as it is in some other religious or mythological systems. Instead, Māori cosmology emphasizes balance and duality, where light and darkness, creation and destruction, are both essential components of Te Ao Mārama.
Ko Tūmatauenga te atua o ngā pakanga me ngā tāngata. Tūmatauenga is associated with warfare, conflict, and human endeavors, particularly those that require strength, courage, and determination. It Tū who stood in defiance as his brother Tāwhirimātea lashed out at his siblings for separating Ranginui and Papatūānuku.
Ko Tangaroa te atua o te moana, ngā awa, ngā roto me te oranga o roto. He is the god of the sea, lakes and rivers and the creature that live in them. His influence extends not only to the sea but also to activities like fishing, navigation, and carving, especially when it involves working with materials from the sea.