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Story: Rural mythologies

Taumata atua

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Taumata atua

Taumata atua (resting place of gods) were tapu stones placed in kūmara fields to increase the productivity of the crop. They represented Rongo, the Māori god of agriculture.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Reference: MA_I029479

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Jock Phillips, Rural mythologies – First traditions, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/object/20294/taumata-atua (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Jock Phillips, published 1 March 2009.