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Story: Marriage and partnering

Hinemoa and Tutānekai

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Hinemoa and Tutānekai

The romance and marriage of Hinemoa and Tutānekai is one of the best-known Māori legends. The couple are shown here embracing on the waharoa (gateway) at the model in Rotorua.

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Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa

Reference: 2006.31.4

Permission of Rotorua Museum of Art and History Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Megan Cook, Marriage and partnering – Marriage in traditional Māori society, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/30763/hinemoa-and-tutanekai (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Megan Cook, published 21 April 2011, updated 1 May 2017.