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Story: Te Waonui a Tāne – forest mythology

Giant kauri

Audio file

This large kauri tree is at Waiau Falls Scenic Reserve, Coromandel Peninsula. Trees like this are believed to symbolise Tāne, propping up the sky from the earth. Listen to Canon Pāora Temuera of Ngāti Raukawa and Te Arawa recite a karakia (prayer) that was formerly heard echoing around the forest.

Transcript

We are going to let you hear on this track the song to Tane Mahuta, the god of the forest.

[Karakia]

Using this item

Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Reference: 43189

Image: Department of Conservation, 10048819

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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/speech/13156/giant-kauri (accessed 4 June 2026).

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