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Story: Traditional Māori religion – ngā karakia a te Māori

Āraiteuru

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Āraiteuru

Āraiteuru is the taniwha shown on this stamp. One tradition sees her as a guardian for early voyaging canoes, and her sons are credited with making the different branches of the Hokianga Harbour.

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New Zealand Post

Reference: 2000 Spirits and Guardians stamp issue

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How to cite this page

Basil Keane, Traditional Māori religion – ngā karakia a te Māori – Ngā atua – the gods, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/30776/araiteuru (accessed 10 June 2026).

Story by Basil Keane, published 28 April 2011.