Story: Whenua – how the land was shaped

Whanganui River

Whanganui River

One explanation for the origins of rivers was that they were the milk of Papatūānuku, the earth mother, but most rivers also had another, unique story of their origin. There are different tribal accounts of how the Whanganui River was formed, but they all begin with the mountains of the central North Island. One story is that the mountain Ruapehu suffered from loneliness, so Ranginui, the sky father, laid two teardrops at his feet, one of which became the Whanganui River. But Ruapehu was still lonely, so Ranginui sent four mountain companions: Tongariro (to guard the teardrops), Ngāuruhoe, Taranaki and Pīhanga, the mountain maiden. Pīhanga was promised as Tongariro’s wife, but she was tempted by the charms of Taranaki. On Ruapehu’s advice, Taranaki reluctantly left the mountain enclave. He followed the route of the Whanganui River to the coast before heading west, from where he gazes back towards his former companions.

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GNS Science
Reference: CN37119/15
Photograph by Lloyd Homer

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How to cite this page:

Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, 'Whenua – how the land was shaped - A dramatic landscape', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/6718/whanganui-river (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, published 12 Jun 2006