He Orokohanga - The Creation Story 

Retold by Ivy Campbell 2024

One day Tangaroa (the God of the Sea) was out planting the placenta of a part of the whanau, leaving his wife Papatūānuku (the Earth Mother) at home. During the period he was gone, Papatūānuku  had many children with Rakinui (the sky father).

Tangaroa and Rakinui had to fight to the death to see who loved Paptuanuku more. “We had many children, Papatūānuku , and yet you go off and have more children with Rakinui," said Tangaroa, very angry. Rakinui started off strong, but then Tangaroa injured Rakinui, and Rakinui fell on top of his love, Papatūānuku.

When Rakinui fell on Papatūānuku , it brought extreme darkness. Trapping all living and non-living things inside.

“We must break up our parents because otherwise we will be living in internal darkness,” said Tane Mahuta (one of Rakinui and Papatūānuku’s many sons). 

Tane Mahuta was really the only one keen on this idea. Therefore, he followed through with the plan.

The first one of these many brothers recited a karakia to lift their parents apart, but it didn’t work. So another brother recited a karakia, and eventually it worked, but they still had to do some physical work. 

Finally, he asked one of his brother’s, Tāne-mahuta to stomp down on their mother while he pushed up his father, and it worked! They were separated, once and for all.

“Papatūānuku , the dew and frost will show my love for you,” said Rakinui lovingly.

"Rakinui, the mist will show my love for you,” replied Papatūānuku .

When his parents were separated and there was light, Tāne-mahuta realised that his parents were naked, so he set off on a quest to find clothing for Papatūānuku  and Rakinui.

First, he went to his brother Wehi-Nui-a-mamao to ask for something to clothe his parents. Wehi-Nui-a-mamao gave Tāne-mahuta birds and trees to clothe their parents.

“Thank you” Said Tāne-mahuta 

He then asked all of his brothers for something to clothe their parents with. When he was finished, he took a step back and looked at his mother and father, proud of the work that he had done.