Skip to main content

Story: Ranginui – the sky

Rona snatched up by the moon

Image
Rona snatched up by the moon

In Māori myth Rona was carrying water in hue (water gourds), when the moon went behind a cloud, causing her to stumble. She cursed the moon, which snatched her up along with the gourds and a tree that she clung to. Māori were able to see her in the features of the moon.

Using this item

New Zealand Post

Reference: 1994 Maori Myths stamp issue

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

Rāwiri Taonui, Ranginui – the sky – The family of light, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/postage-stamp/7334/rona-snatched-up-by-the-moon (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Rāwiri Taonui, published 2 March 2009.