Ko Hikurangi te maunga
Ko Waiapu te awa
Ko Ngāti Porou te iwi
Hikurangi is the mountain
Waiapu is the river
Ngāti Porou is the tribe
This pepeha (genealogical proverb) identifies Hikurangi, shown here in the early morning, as the most important mountain of the people of Ngāti Porou on the North Island's East Coast, and Waiapu as their most important river. Landmarks such as these have very powerful symbolic significance for many Māori, who may identify with their own mountain or river as a symbolic representation of their tribe.
Using this item
GNS Science
Reference:
41063
Photograph by Lloyd Homer
Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image.
Add new comment