Skip to main content

Story: Te Waonui a Tāne – forest mythology

Separating earth and sky

Image
Separating earth and sky

This sculpture by Fred Graham shows Tāne separating his parents, Ranginui (sky father) and Papatūānuku (earth mother). This allowed light and knowledge to shine into the world.

Using this item

Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

by Fred Graham

Permission of Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga must be obtained before any re-use of this material.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, Te Waonui a Tāne – forest mythology – Tāne and his forests, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/13154/separating-earth-and-sky (accessed 4 June 2026).

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