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Story: Whāngai – customary fostering and adoption

Tamatea-pōkaiwhenua

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Tamatea-pōkaiwhenua

In this carving Tamatea-pōkaiwhenua is shown with a paddle in his hand. In one tradition Tamatea's wife, Ihuparapara, was tricked into sleeping with Uenuku, personification of the rainbow. The child of this union was taken by Uenuku to Te Tini-o-te-petipeti, who raised her as a whāngai.

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Te Tumu Herenga Waka Marae, Victoria University of Wellington

All rights to images of this marae are held by Te Tumu Herenga Waka Marae, Victoria University of Wellington

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How to cite this page

Basil Keane, Whāngai – customary fostering and adoption – Traditions and history, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/31031/tamatea-pokaiwhenua (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Basil Keane, published 10 May 2011, updated 1 June 2017.