This diagram illustrates the relationship between the primal gods and the wharenui. Papatūānuku, the earth mother, is depicted as the floor, while the roof is depicted as Ranginui, the sky father. The posts between the floor and the ceiling represent the posts used in the creation story by Tāne to separate his parents, Papatūānuku and Ranginui – which gave rise to one of his names: Tāne-toko-rangi (Tāne who propped up the sky).
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Source: Tane-nui-a-Rangi. Auckland: University of Auckland, 1988
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