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