Tangaroa and Tane: The War of Forest and Sea
After the separation of Rangi and Papa, furious Tawhirimatea drove his brother Tangaroa, god of the sea, into the ocean depths. Tangaroa's descendants included Ikatere (fish) and Tu-te-wehiwehi (reptiles). When Tane Mahuta, god of the forest, offered shelter to Tu-te-wehiwehi and his reptile children, they abandoned the sea for the land. This betrayal enraged Tangaroa, who declared eternal war on Tane. To this day, the sea consumes the shores and forests, while Tane's creatures hide from the ocean. Fish and reptiles were divided—fish remained loyal to Tangaroa while reptiles joined Tane on lan