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Māori Gods Introduction

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Māori Gods Introduction

Explore how atua are described in one account of Māori cosmology, practise key te reo Māori vocabulary and sentence patterns, and consider why accounts may differ between iwi and sources. Read the text before answering. Use tohutō (macrons) in Māori names and words.

He kōrero mō ngā atua

In many Māori accounts of creation, Ranginui (Sky Father) and Papatūānuku (Earth Mother) were separated by their children. Their children include atua associated with aspects of the world and human life. In one widely taught account, Tāne (also known as Tāne Mahuta) is associated with forests and birds; Tangaroa with the sea and its life; Tāwhirimātea with wind and weather; Rongo with cultivated food and peace; Haumia-tiketike with uncultivated foods; and Tū (often called Tūmatauenga) with people and conflict. These brief associations are useful starting points, not complete definitions. Stories and names can vary between iwi and sources. Atua are not simply equivalent to characters in another culture’s mythology: they are understood within Māori relationships among people, the natural world, ancestors and the spiritual world. Useful language: atua = a spiritual being or ancestral power; ngahere = forest; moana = sea; hau = wind; kai = food; tangata = person/people. The pattern “Ko X te atua o Y” means “X is the atua associated with Y.”

Wāhanga 1: Understanding the kōrero

Answer using information in the passage. Where asked, explain your reasoning rather than giving only a name.

1.According to the passage, which atua is associated with forests and birds? Choose one answer.

Tangaroa
Tāne
Rongo
Tū

2.Match each atua to the association given in the passage.

Tangaroa
Tāwhirimātea
Rongo
Haumia-tiketike

Cultivated food and peace
Sea and its life
Wind and weather
Uncultivated foods

3.True or false: The passage says that every iwi tells exactly the same stories about atua. Correct the statement if it is false.

TrueFalse

4.The passage calls the listed associations “useful starting points, not complete definitions.” In your own words, explain why this qualification matters when learning about atua.

Wāhanga 2: Te reo Māori in context

Use the vocabulary and sentence pattern from the passage. Pay attention to macrons and the meaning of “o”.

5.Complete the sentence with the Māori word for “sea”: “Ko Tangaroa te atua o te .”

6.Translate into English: “Ko Tāwhirimātea te atua o te hau me te huarere.” (Use the vocabulary in the passage.)

7.Translate into te reo Māori using the pattern “Ko X te atua o Y”: “Rongo is the atua associated with cultivated food and peace.” Use “kai” for food and “rangimārie” for peace.

8.Write one original sentence in te reo Māori using “Ko X te atua o Y” to describe an association from the passage. Choose an atua and use a relevant Māori word from the useful-language list or passage.

Wāhanga 3: Thinking carefully

Connect the passage to respectful learning about te ao Māori.

9.A learner says, “Tū is only the god of war.” Use the passage to improve this statement so it is more accurate and careful.

10.Give one reason that learning the Māori words for natural features—such as ngahere, moana and hau—alongside the atua associated with them can deepen understanding.