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Story: First peoples in Māori tradition

Sunrise

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Sunrise

Tama-nui-te-rā (the sun) is also known as Tānerore. He has two wives who represent the seasons, and divides his time between Hinetakurua, the winter maiden, and Hineraumati, the summer maiden. In this way changes in natural world, such as the seasons, were seen to be integrated with human ancestry. Māori experienced little separation between the human and natural worlds.

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Peter Hodsell

by Peter Hodsell

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How to cite this page

Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, First peoples in Māori tradition – Ancestors from the natural world, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/2408/sunrise (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, published 4 March 2009.