15/02/2026
A Story of Connection Between Sky, Earth, Forest, and Sea
(He tātai whakapapa anō- this is a variance of whakapapa of some rākau, but more improtantly we look at the whakapapa of Kawakawa and Pohutukawa)
From the beginning of all things, Ranginui and Papatūānuku stood together in unity. From their sacred embrace came the many atua and life forces who would shape the world.
Among their descendants were Rehua and Tangaroa.
Rehua became the guardian of the upper realms and the forest world. Through Rehua came many taonga of the ngahere and rongoā.
From Rehua descended Karaka,
the nourishing tree that feeds and heals.
From Karaka (rākau) came Moki (ika)
Moki thrives in rocky, turbulent waters, embodying perseverance and strength through challenge.
Maomao (ika) followed,
carrying balance and vitality.
Kohikohi (ika) emerged, which carries the memory of the seasons, appearing and disappearing with the rhythms of the moon and the sea, reminding whānau to live in balance with natural cycles.
And Hāpuku (ika) arose,
weaving together land and water
through growth, abundance, and nourishment.
From Hapuku came Mamaku the great tree fern, source of healing and strength.
From Hapuku also came Katote, standing tall in damp forests.
And Te Poka, holding knowledge of resilience and shelter.
From Rehua also came Tinirau, guardian of whales and ocean life.
From Tinirau came Tohorā, the great whales, carriers of ancient wisdom and navigation.
Then came Ikatere, ancestor of fish and sea creatures.
From Ikatere descended many children of the ocean:
Maroro, the flying fish who bridges sky and sea.
Parore, moving swiftly among rocks and tides.
Patiki, the flounder who rests on the ocean floor.
Kokiri, strong and protective in rocky places.
Whai, the stingray, guardian of deep waters.
Wheke, the octopus, keeper of intelligence and adaptability.
Tamure, the snapper, provider of sustenance for the people.
All fish and sea life trace their whakapapa through Ikatere.
From Tangaroa also descended Punga.
From Punga came Tu-te-wanawana, ancestor of reptiles and lizards.
From Tu-te-wanawana came Ngarara, guardians of land and forest boundaries.
From Tangaroa also came Hutu.
From Hutu came Kawakawa.
From Kawakawa came Pohutukawa, the great coastal tree that stands between land and sea, life and death, holding the spirits of the departed.
Together, these lines show us that all life is connected.
The forest, the ocean, the animals, the plants, and the people are all bound through whakapapa.
Rehua holds the life of the ngahere.
Tangaroa holds the life of the moana.
Punga bridges land and sea.
Ranginui and Papatūānuku remain the foundation of all.
This whakapapa teaches us that healing, food, identity, and survival are not separate. They are part of one living system.
To care for one is to care for all.
