Taniwha
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Template:Cleanup-date A taniwha (IPA: Template:IPA) is, in traditional Māori thought, a legendary monster that lives in the ocean or inland waters of New Zealand, hiding in deep pools, rivers, lakes, and dark caves. A taniwha is usually depicted as an enormous tuatara-like beast, covered with traditional Maori koru.
The taniwha is often thought to be a cryptid, like a surviving marine reptile. There are very few pieces of evidence to support this theory. However, the Tongan word tenifa, meaning 'large shark', might suggest an origin for the concept.
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Characteristics
Taniwha were often regarded as guardians to Maori tribes or as pets or friends to specific historical/legendary people. In most creation myths however taniwha were wrongly assigned as terrible monsters.
Taniwha take many forms and are not limited to the physical, they are viewed more as spiritual "markers". Reasons for their presence vary widely but as a general rule they are treated by with utmost respect in Maori culture.
One form that taniwha may have is the appearance of large white eel. This taniwha is a tohu (omen) and must not be removed but rather move on of its own accord. To remove the taniwha would equate to "spitting in the eyes of God".
Legends
One Maori legend sighted taniwha as being the physical manifestation given to the "Wheke" or octopuses which accompanied two waka (canoes) on the Ngati Toa migrations.
The story reads that three taniwha escorted (Ngati) Ruanui and Nga Puhi on the journey from Ra'iatea after the people called out to the atua (spiritual overlords) seeking a means of safe passage. Two taniwha oversaw the safety of Nga Puhi and the other guarded Ruanui.
Wellington's harbour, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, was reputedly carved out by two taniwha, the petrified remains of one of which became one of the hills overlooking the city.
The Waikato River proverbially has a hundred of them, one on each bend.
Modern controversy
Beliefs about a taniwha caused some controversy in 2002 when a Maori tribe successfully halted and eventually redirected the redevelopment of part of the country's major highway, SH1, to protect the home of their legendary protector.
Associations
The word "taniwha" may also be applied to a person/s displaying remarkable (although not necessarily positive) qualities or attributes, it is synonymous with the word "chief".