Story: Te ngahere – forest lore

Papatūānuku and Ranginui

Papatūānuku and Ranginui

This painting of Papatūānuku (the earth mother) and Ranginui (the sky father) is from Carter Observatory, in Wellington. In one tradition, fern root is the hair of Haumia-tiketike, the god of uncultivated foods, protruding from Papatūānuku.

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Space Place at Carter Observatory

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How to cite this page:

Rāwiri Taonui, 'Te ngahere – forest lore - Ground ferns', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/14121/papatuanuku-and-ranginui (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Rāwiri Taonui, published 24 Sep 2007