Story: Ngāi Tahu

Genealogy of the winds

Genealogy of the winds

In its ocean setting, New Zealand is buffeted by winds. Māori extended the concept of human kinship to natural phenomena, including the winds. The Waitaha genealogy (whakapapa) connects the predominant winds of Canterbury, and explains their patterns and relationships. Ngāi Tahu adopted such Waitaha traditions when they occupied the South Island.

Whakapapa from information provided by Te Maire Tau

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How to cite this page:

Te Maire Tau, 'Ngāi Tahu - The genealogy of the land', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/whakapapa/1649/genealogy-of-the-winds (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Te Maire Tau, published 8 Feb 2005, updated 1 Mar 2017