ORIGIN: Polynesian (including Maori)
TYPE: Sky god.
INFORMATION: The so-called sky father of the Polynesian culture whose consort is Papatuanuku, the earth mother. During a prolonged period of inseparable intercourse they became the prime parents of the Polynesian pantheon of gods. The children found life between the bodies of the parents too cramped and conspired to force them apart. Though one offspring, Tumatauenga, wanted to slay them, the advice of Tanemahuta, the forest god, prevailed and Ranginui and Papatuanuku were merely forced apart.