Story: Tangihanga – death customs

Te Rēinga

Te Rēinga

Cape Rēinga is also known as Te Rerenga Wairua, the departing place of spirits. Spirits were said to descend the roots of a pōhutukawa tree and travel through the underworld to Hawaiki.

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Photograph by Helen Rickerby

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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/photograph/28778/te-reinga (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Rawinia Higgins, published 5 May 2011