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Story: Taniwha

Tuatara

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Tuatara

The tuatara is a unique reptile found only in New Zealand. Inland taniwha were often described as looking like giant tuatara, and were known as ngārara.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10031460

by Dick Veitch

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How to cite this page

Basil Keane, Taniwha – Ngārara – giant reptiles, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/10878/tuatara (accessed 25 June 2026).

Story by Basil Keane, published 1 March 2009.