In Kuaka, we have been learning about traditional Māori stories (pūrākau). Some of them are about how New Zealand came to be.

We have heard about the Taniwha and the Rakaia Gorge as well as the Creation of Tuna.

In the story of Taniwha and the Rakaia Gorge, the taniwha wanted to keep the water clean, but Te Māuru blew a hole in the dam he made. The people and all the birds (manu) and fish (ika) promised to help keep it clean.

In the story of the Creation of Tuna, the tuna were born in the heavens but came down to live in a lake (roto). One day, the people found out he lived there and captured him. Then they cut him into four pieces. After that, they spread all the pieces into different water environments.

By Kayla