Story: Te Waonui a Tāne – forest mythology

Giant kauri

This large kauri tree is at Waiau Falls Scenic Reserve, Coromandel Peninsula. Trees like this are believed to symbolise Tāne, propping up the sky from the earth. Listen to Canon Pāora Temuera of Ngāti Raukawa and Te Arawa recite a karakia (prayer) that was formerly heard echoing around the forest.

Sound file from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright. To request a copy of the recording, contact Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero (Maori of New Zealand/Reference number DAT 343)

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Reference: 10048819

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How to cite this page:

Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, 'Te Waonui a Tāne – forest mythology - Tāne and his forests', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/speech/13156/giant-kauri (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, published 24 Sep 2007