Creative Character FridayCreative Character Friday

We are going to have some fun creating new characters for our

writing and art today.

Tuning InTuning In

Watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hzVCyQTE3I

Task 1

Start a list in your art scrapbook.

Use the title ~ “Taniwhas”

Put in todays date - Friday 5th June

Brainstorm TANIWHA

How many different Maori symbols can you come up with?

Tuning InTuning In

Watchhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbCr7Hlp3rQ

As we talk and share ideas today, add to your brainstorm on taniwhas and Maori symbols.

You need to keep ‘notes’ which are a record of your thinking.

Taniwha stamp

Issued in 1960, this stamp features a taniwha design based on the cave drawing

known as the Ōpihi taniwha. This was drawn on a limestone

cave shelter overlooking the Ōpihi River in South

Canterbury.

Āraiteuru

Āraiteuru is the famed taniwha represented on this stamp. She is said to have

arrived in New Zealand with the early voyaging canoes,

and her 11 sons are credited with creating the various

branches of the Hokianga Harbour.

Ngake and WhātaitaiThis mural is of the two taniwha said to have created

Wellington Harbour. Ngake is blue, and Whātaitai green. The artwork is at Pikopiko Clyde Quay Kindergarten in Wellington.

The Kawautahi taniwhaKawautahi is a small lake 15 kilometres up Rētāruke River, a tributary of the Whanganui.

It was avoided by Māori because a ferocious taniwha was said to live in it. In 1892 a surveyor employed three Māori from Taumarunui – Wārahi, Pita Te Aitua and Piki – to assist him in his work at the lake. Despite their concerns, they agreed because of the

good wages on offer. However, while there they were allegedly attacked by the taniwha, and although slightly wounded, they all survived. They later told their story to T. W.

Downes, who based this image loosely on their description.

Ngārara Huarau

Ngārara Huarau, depicted on this stamp, was a giant taniwha resembling the lizard-like native tuatara. There are varying tribal

traditions relating to Ngārara Huarau. In one, he was killed in the Wairarapa while visiting his

sister Parikawhiti.

Tuhirangi

The taniwha Tuhirangi accompanied the legendary

explorer Kupe on his voyage of discovery to New Zealand. It was

reputed that Kupe placed Tuhirangi in Te Moana-o-

Raukawa (Cook Strait) as a guardian.

Tāmure and KaiwhareTāmure wrestles with Kaiwhare, a man-eating taniwha who lived in an

underwater cave at Piha. Tāmure lived at Hauraki and was reputed to have a mere pounamu (greenstone weapon) with the power to defeat any taniwha. He came to Piha at the request of the local people and fought the creature. He hit

it with the mere, and though he did not kill it, its wounds prevented it from eating people. From then on it lived on crayfish and octopus.

Northland taniwha mascot

This is a modern interpretation of a taniwha, known as Tāne. It is the mascot of the

Northland Rugby Union.

What is a Taniwha?What is a Taniwha?

Based on legends of the Maori people, the Taniwha is a great water creature that acts as a protector or guardian of a certain tribe or place. Based on the legend, each tribe has its own Taniwha.

Description:Description:Taniwhas come in many different forms. If the Taniwha appears in the seas or oceans, it takes the form of either a very huge shark or a whale.

When it is spotted in lakes or other inland waters, the Taniwha comes in the form of a gecko or a spined lizard. In some encounters it appears as a log or a “wheke” which means octopus”.

Taniwhas can be both male and female.

Because of its size and strength, it is said that Taniwhas are capable of tunnelling through the ground, uprooting trees and overturning houses in the process.

Some Taniwhas have been recognised as creators of certain harbours that form channels to the sea. Among these harbours is the Wellington harbour.

According to the story, the area was created by two Taniwhas. Aside from channels, natives point out that the bends in the river of Waikato were made by Taniwhas. Landslides in the area are often regarded as the works of Taniwhas as well.

Computer SuiteComputer Suite

Use Google images to locate pictures of taniwhas and Maori symbols

Add to your notes by listing or drawing & labelling: Colours Size Shapes Maori symbols Habitat Patterns

MMaaoorri i SSyymmbboollss

Criteria for Taniwha Design

The taniwha you design is going to be part of a myth that you create. Keep this in mind as the taniwha will be your main character – think about the personality of the taniwha now.

Criteria for Taniwha Design

Your taniwha must:

• Be big on the paper

• Look like a taniwha creature

• Be colourful – but think about colour choices

• Show Maori symbols

• Have personality