Once long ago, before the time of Kupe, when Te Ika-a-Māui was just fished from the depths of the ocean, there lived two taniwha, Ngake and Whātaitai. In those times, Wellington Harbour, …

Wellington’s wind-buffeted airport is on land uplifted from the sea by earthquakes. In Māori tradition, the harbour was once a lake occupied by two taniwha (supernatural creatures). One …

Ngake and Whātaitai, two legendary water monsters or taniwha, are depicted in this bird’s-eye view of the Wellington region. Ngake (right) is making the channel to the Cook Strait. Whātaitai …

Learn all about the Taniwha with info and pictures about these Māori creatures. Includes the Wellington Harbour Taniwha story and resources to help kids learn.

A set of images, articles, videos and audio about the supernatural taniwha and the mystery surrounding them.

Home › Images › 1. a Maori myths and legends › Ngake and Whātaitai the taniwha of Wellington harbour

According to their legend, this arm of Cook Strait was created by two sea monsters (taniwha). They were big as whales and resembled lizards. Whātaitai was gentle, mild and protective.

Retelling of the legend of how Wellington Harbour was created. In ancient times in Aotearoa, there was a beautiful lake in which there dwelt two monstrous taniwha. Their names were …

This artwork by Lee Watt depicts the two taniwha Ngake and Whātaitai after the great earthquake at Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington Harbour). Whātaitai (left) is shown curling up to form …