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Story: Kaitiakitanga – guardianship and conservation

Whakapakoko atua

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Whakapakoko atua

This whakapakoko atua (god stick) is believed to represent Rongo, the god of agriculture. These sticks were often located near gardens of kūmara (sweet potatoes). They were protective talismans to ensure plentiful crops.

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Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira

Permission of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, Kaitiakitanga – guardianship and conservation – Key concepts, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/11598/whakapakoko-atua (accessed 26 June 2026).

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