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Story: Papatūānuku – the land

Genealogy of the universe

Audio file

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.

Using this item

Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

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

Sound file from Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

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.

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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, https://teara.govt.nz/en/speech/11475/genealogy-of-the-universe (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, published 1 March 2009.