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Story: Papatūānuku – the land

Papatūānuku in the landscape

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Papatūānuku in the landscape

The often mountainous New Zealand landscape played an important role in the Māori world view. The land was seen as Papatūānuku, the earth mother. Mountain ranges were conceptualised as representing this goddess lying prone.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

by Jock Phillips

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How to cite this page

Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, Papatūānuku – the land – The importance of Papatūānuku, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/11427/papatuanuku-in-the-landscape (accessed 11 June 2026).

Story by Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, published 1 March 2009.