In the first days of the world, when Ranginui the Sky Father still wept for Papatuanuku the Earth Mother, the land lay bare. There were mountains and rivers, but no trees, no shade. The ground cracked in the sun, streams ran thin, and the birds had no branches to rest upon.
Tane Mahuta, guardian of the forests, walked across the empty land and felt sorrow. “Without trees, Papatuanuku burns beneath the sun,” he said. “Without trees, there is no shelter for her children.”
He climbed the highest hill and called to Io, the eternal creator. “Grant me the seed of life, so I may clothe the earth.” Io heard him and sent Hinewaonui, the Lady of Plants. Her cloak held the seeds of all sacred trees.
“These are taonga, treasures of the earth,” she told him. “Each tree has its place. Plant them with care, for the balance of the world depends upon it.”
Tane agreed and began his work. In the valleys he planted kahikatea, so their roots could drink from the rivers. On high ridges he set totara, whose strong trunks would stand against fierce winds. By the swamps he placed flax and raupo, knowing they would shelter birds and weave homes for insects. In open glades he planted kowhai, whose golden flowers would bring nectar to the bees.
Tane’s trees and the wind god
But Tawhirimatea, god of the winds, was still bitter toward Tane for parting their parents, Rangi and Papa. From the clouds he sent roaring gales to tear up the young trees and bend their tender trunks. Many fell, and the bare earth sighed.
Tane did not answer with anger. He watched the winds and learned their ways. He replanted trees in the shelter of rocks and hills, allowed their roots to grow deep before reaching for the sun, and set the sturdiest kinds in the places most touched by storms.
Over time, the trees grew tall and their roots bound the soil. Leaves whispered together high above, and the air filled with the calls of returning birds. The forest became a living cloak over Papatuanuku, giving shade, coolness, and safety.
When Tawhirimatea saw this, he laughed. “Your trees will stand even in my fiercest storms.”
“They stand,” Tane replied, “because they grow together. Alone, they would fall. Together, they hold the world.”
And so the sacred forests spread over Aotearoa, and to this day when the wind roars in the treetops, the people say it is Tawhirimatea still testing the strength of his brother’s work.
Moral / Life Lesson
The story teaches that harmony comes from balance and unity. Tane’s success came not from planting one mighty tree alone, but from placing many trees where they could help one another. Just as the forest stands strong because its trees grow together, people too are strongest when they support each other.
Knowledge Check
1. What is the moral of the folktale “Tane and the Sacred Trees”?
The story teaches the value of unity, balance, and placing each element where it can thrive to keep harmony in the world.
2. What cultural group does the tale “Tane and the Sacred Trees” come from?
This folktale originates from the Māori tradition of Aotearoa (New Zealand).
3. Why did Tane plant the sacred trees?
In the tale, Tane planted the sacred trees to shelter the earth, protect the creatures, and restore balance between the natural realms.
4. How does the folktale “Tane and the Sacred Trees” explain the presence of forests?
The story explains that the forests were planted by Tane Mahuta to clothe Papatuanuku in living green and bring life to the land.
5. Is “Tane and the Sacred Trees” considered a trickster tale, ghost story, or moral fable?
“Tane and the Sacred Trees” is a creation myth and moral fable in Māori tradition.
6. How is this folktale relevant to modern readers?
The story remains relevant as it encourages caring for the environment, working together, and respecting the interconnectedness of all life.
Cultural Origin: This folktale comes from the oral tradition of the Māori people of Aotearoa (New Zealand).
