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Story: Whenua – how the land was shaped

Ngake and Whātaitai

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Ngake and Whātaitai

This artwork by Lee Watt depicts the two taniwha Ngake and Whātaitai after the great earthquake at Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington Harbour). Whātaitai (left) is shown curling up to form Motukairangi, while Ngake makes the channel from the harbour to Cook Strait.

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Chamblett Design Group

by Lee Watt

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, Whenua – how the land was shaped – Lakes, rivers and harbours, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/6761/ngake-and-whataitai (accessed 24 June 2026).

Story by Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, published 2 March 2009.