Story: Ranginui – the sky

Tāne breathes life into Hineahuone

Tāne breathes life into Hineahuone

Tāne, son of the sky and the earth, created the first woman, Hineahuone (earth-formed maiden). This drawing depicts Tāne breathing life into her. The breath led Hinahuone to sneeze, and gave rise to the well-known Māori phrase, ‘tihe mauri ora’ (the sneeze of life).

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Learning Media Ltd
Reference: Eke Panuku 9, Wellington: Learning Media Ltd, 2003, p.11.

This material is reproduced by permission of the publishers, Learning Media Ltd, PO Box 3293, Wellington, New Zealand.

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How to cite this page:

Rāwiri Taonui, 'Ranginui – the sky - Ranginui as knowledge and life', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/5173/tane-breathes-life-into-hineahuone (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Rāwiri Taonui, published 12 Jun 2006