Story: Papatūānuku – the land

Genealogy of the universe

Listen to the first part of a whakapapa outlining the origins of the universe. It can be translated as:

From the conception the increase,
From the increase the thought,
From the thought the remembrance,
From the remembrance the consciousness,
From the consciousness the desire,
The word became fruitful.

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Source: Johannes C. Andersen, Maori Life in Ao-tea. Christchurch: Whitcombe & Tombs, 1907

Sound file from Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

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How to cite this page:

Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, 'Papatūānuku – the land - Whakapapa and kaupapa', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/speech/11475/genealogy-of-the-universe (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, published 24 Sep 2007