Hawkes lookout

Appena superate le Ngarua Caves ci siamo fermati a un altro piccolo belvedere. È probabilmente uno dei punti più comodi per dare un'occhiata al panorama lungo la Tākaka Hill.

Questa strada sarà anche bellissima, la famosa SH60, ma percorrerla per la quarta volta è diventato uno strazio. Siamo cotti.

"What are taniwha?

Taniwha are supernatural creatures whose forms and characteristics vary according to different tribal traditions. Though supernatural, in the Māori world view they were seen as part of the natural environment. Taniwha have been described as fabulous monsters that live in deep water. Others refer to them as dragons – many taniwha looked like reptiles, had wings and ate people. They could also take the shape of animals such as sharks, whales, octopuses, or even logs. Some taniwha could change their shape, moving between different forms.

Taniwha were either male or female. They usually lived in or near the water – lakes, rivers or the sea. They hid in lairs known as rua taniwha, which could be deep pools, caves, or dangerous waterways – areas that people avoided.

In some traditions, taniwha were terrifying creatures that captured people and ate them. Occasionally, it was said that they would kidnap women to live with them as wives. These monsters would inevitably be killed and the women returned to their families.

Others were kaitiaki, or protectors of iwi (tribes) and hapū (sub-tribes). These ones were respected, and people who passed by their dens would say the appropriate karakia (charm) and leave an offering, often a green twig."

Source: Te Ara Encyclopedia of New ZealandRead more