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Story: Whenua – how the land was shaped

Bush streams

Bush streams

Mountains were thought to be the breasts of Papatūānuku, the earth mother. Rivers and streams flowed out of them – their waters were considered to be breast milk. Here, a milky white stream flows through picturesque native bush.

About this item

GNS Science
Reference: CN40000
Photograph by Lloyd Homer

Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image

How to cite this page:

Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal. 'Whenua – how the land was shaped', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 24-Sep-11
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/whenua-how-the-land-was-shaped/1/2