Watch: Ko te Pakanga a ngā Manu | Battle of the Birds
Seabirds and land birds battle over tasty kai! Who will win?
Pūrākau: More than just stories
Indigenous storytelling is rich in knowledge and plays an important role in transferring cultural knowledge across generations. These pūrākau continue to provide important messages and guidance for future generations and are still told in contemporary ways.
He Paki Taonga i a Māui is a series of animated short films for tamariki aged 7–11 that tell stories about taonga held in Te Papa’s collection. These animations are presented in te reo Maori, with English subtitles available.
These three videos from that series demonstrate the rich knowledge and deep relationships Māori have with manu. Māori knowledge systems and te ao Māori explain the nature of manu, their kāinga, their relationships with te taiao, and their importance within the living culture of Aotearoa New Zealand.
As you watch these videos, consider the values, lessons, and relationships embedded within the pūrākau, and how they contribute to understanding Māori perspectives on the natural world.
Kia kitea akeDiscover more
Find out more about native birds of Aotearoa New Zealand, Fiona Pardington’s exhibition Taharaki Skyside, and the manu found within the exhibition.
Te Ngarohanga o ngā Parirau o te Kiwi | How the Kiwi Lost Its Wings
Tāne asks Kiwi to help save the forest – but it comes at a great price.
Ko Rata me ngā Tamariki a Tāne | Rata and the Children of Tane
Rata learns a valuable lesson about taking care of the environment.