Story: Taniwha

Ngārara Huarau

Ngārara Huarau

Ngārara Huarau, depicted on this stamp, was a giant taniwha resembling the lizard-like native tuatara. There are varying tribal traditions relating to Ngārara Huarau. In one, he was killed in the Wairarapa while visiting his sister Parikawhiti.

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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, 'Taniwha - Ngārara – giant reptiles', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/postage-stamp/10880/ngarara-huarau (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Basil Keane, published 24 Sep 2007