This watercolour of Te Rēinga falls near Wairoa was painted in 1845. One tradition tells of Hine-kōrako, a female taniwha who married a local man. After being insulted by his people, she went to live under Te Rēinga falls. One day, when the Wairoa River was in flood, a canoe carrying local people was being swept towards the falls. In desperation a kaumātua (elder) called out to her, and she rescued those on board.
Using this item
Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference:
C-075-013
Pastel drawing by Edward Roper Stapleton Sandys
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
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