Pū Rākau Atua
Hine-Tītama
Hine-Tītama is the goddess of the dawn, embodying the morning light. In her story, Hine-Tītama made a profound discovery: her husband, Tāne Mahuta, was also her father. In grief and confusion, she left the world of light and journeyed into Te Pō, where she became Hine-nui-te-Pō, the goddess who cares for those who have passed into the afterlife.
Rongomātāne
Rongomātāne is the god of cultivated food and peace. His influence is most strongly associated with the kūmara, a staple of Māori agriculture, representing the nurturing of crops and the sustenance of people. Rongomātāne also governs the concept of peace, balancing the energies of war and conflict embodied by his brother, Tūmatauenga.
Tāwhirimatea
Tāwhirimatea is the god of winds and storms. He opposed the separation of his parents, Ranginui and Papatūānuku, as it disrupted the balance of the natural world. In his rage, Tāwhirimatea retreated to the skies, where he rules the winds and rain, creating weather events that reflect his ongoing discontent with the upheaval of the cosmos.
Niwareka
Niwareka is the granddaughter of Hinenuitepō and Rūaumoko, and her story is woven into the origins of tā moko (tattooing) and weaving in Māori culture. One famous account tells of how Niwareka created the cloak Te Rangi Haupapa, which provided the pattern for weaving that endures to this day. The design was said to be inspired by her own lineage, a gift passed through the generations.
Hineahuone
Hineahuone is the first woman, formed from the red clay of Papatūānuku by Tāne Mahuta, who breathed life into her. Her creation story reflects the profound connection between humankind and the earth, emphasizing the sacred bond Māori hold with the natural world and its elements, as well as our whakapapa (ancestry) from the atua.
Tangaroa
Tangaroa is the god of the sea, rivers, and all life within them. His domain encompasses the oceans and lakes, as well as the creatures that dwell in these waters. Tangaroa’s influence extends to fishing, navigation, and the crafting of tools and carvings from materials sourced from the sea. His power reminds us of the vital connection between Māori and the waterways that sustain life.
Tāne Mahuta
Tāne Mahuta is the god of the forests and all living things within. He is a key figure in Māori cosmology, having separated his parents, Ranginui and Papatūānuku, to bring light into the world. As the guardian of the ngahere (forest), Tāne embodies the interconnection between people and nature, watching over the birds, plants, and trees that sustain life.
Hineteiwaiwa
Hineteiwaiwa is the goddess of women, childbirth, and the arts of weaving. She is revered for her creative power, symbolizing the importance of woven treasures (taonga) in Māori culture. The eldest daughter of Hinetītama and Tāne Mahuta, Hineteiwaiwa is celebrated as a guiding figure for Māori women, especially in the nurturing role of childbirth and the mastery of the whare pora, the house of weaving.
Whiro-te-tipua
Whiro is often associated with darkness, chaos, and the trials of the world. Contrary to misconceptions of him as purely malevolent, Whiro represents the necessary forces of opposition and challenge in the Māori worldview. His presence reminds us that light and darkness are part of a greater balance, essential to the cycles of life and death.
Hine Raukatauri
Hine Raukatauri is the guardian of Māori musical instruments, particularly the kōauau and other flutes. She is associated with the whare tapere, the house of entertainment and storytelling. In her deep love for the pūtōrino, she transformed herself into a moth, her instrument becoming her cocoon—a symbol of her eternal connection to the sounds of the natural world.
Hine-te-Uira
Hine-te-Uira is the goddess of lightning, the daughter of Tāne Mahuta and Hineahuone. She represents the power of the supernatural in nature, with lightning and thunder as manifestations of divine energy. The phrase "Te ahi tipua a Hine-te-Uira" refers to the fire of Hine-te-Uira, reminding us of her role as the bearer of this fierce, elemental force.
Tūmatauenga
Tūmatauenga is the god of war and humanity, standing as a figure of strength, courage, and resilience. When his brother Tāwhirimatea lashed out in anger, it was Tūmatauenga who remained steadfast, embodying the warrior spirit that guides Māori in times of conflict and challenges, both physical and spiritual.