Science Learning Hub logo
TopicsConceptsCitizen scienceTeacher PLDGlossary
Sign in
Image

The Legend of Poutini

Illustration of Poutini and Waitaiki

Poutini was a taniwha and kaitiaki for Kahue, guardian of pounamu. In this pūrākau we learn more about Poutini and his abduction of Waitaiki, a beautiful wahine from the Bay of Plenty to Te Waipounamu. They are pursued by her tane, Tamāhua throughout the motu. He is sadly unsuccessful in her rescuing her as she is hidden by Poutini in the awa Arahura.

Illustration by Cliff Whiting.

Glossary

Rights: New Zealand Geographic Board, CC BY 4.0
Published: 5 April 2024Size: 432.22 KB
Referencing Hub media

Explore related content

Appears inRelated resources
Whakairo

Article

Whakairo

Iwi Māori of Aotearoa did not have a written language until the 19th century, and knowledge was encoded and passed ...

Read more
Head and shoulder image of Rauhina Scott-Fyfe.

Article

Rauhina Scott-Fyfe

Rauhina Scott-Fyfe (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha) is the Māori Archivist at Uare Taoka o Hākena Hocken Collections held at ...

Read more
Men with fishing poles & fish, onshore and in waka, 2 tents, NZ

Article

Ngā ika a Tangaroa

Māori and their ancestors are island people – the moana is central to their spiritual and physical realms. For hundreds ...

Read more
Stephen Tauwhare (Poutini Kai Tahu, Ngi Hikairo ki Kawhia)

Article

Stephen Tauwhare (Poutini Kai Tahu, Ngi Hikairo ki Kawhia)

Pprvious position: Scientist, Field: Biochemistry, Organisation: Industrial Research Limited. Stephen began working at Industrial Research Limited as a research scientist ...

Read more

See our newsletters here.

NewsEventsAboutContact usPrivacyCopyrightHelp

The Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao is funded through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Science in Society Initiative.

Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao © 2007-2025 The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato