Story: Tangihanga – death customs

Hine-nui-te-pō

Hine-nui-te-pō

This painting by Danny Ngene Ngene is of Hine-nui-te-pō. Hine-nui-te-pō is also known as the goddess of death and traditionally when the deceased went to the underworld they would be welcomed by her.

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Stacey Stewart
Artwork by Danny Ngene Ngene

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How to cite this page:

Rawinia Higgins, 'Tangihanga – death customs - Mythological origins', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/28776/hine-nui-te-po (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Rawinia Higgins, published 5 May 2011