Happy #EarthDay! The hākuturi are birdlike guardians of the forest from Māori mythology. When Rātā cut down a sacred tree to build a canoe without performing the appropriate rites, the hākuturi not only re-erected the tree but put all of its discarded wood chips back in place. #MythologyMonday

📷: Daniel Hopper

#Folklore #Mythology #MaoriMythology #Hakuturi #Forest #ForestGuardians #NatureSpirits #NewZealand

The Hākuturi are birdlike guardians of the forest from Māori mythology. In one story, they re-erected a sacred tree that Rātā had cut down to build a canoe because he failed to perform the appropriate rites, even going so far as to put every wood chip back into its proper place. #FaustianFriday

📷: Daniel Hopper

#Mythology #Folklore #Maori #MaoriMythology #NewZealand #Hakuturi #Forest