Taniwha Necklace

water spirit, monster, dangerous water creature, powerful creature, chief, powerful leader, something or someone awesome – taniwha take many forms from logs to reptiles and whales and often live in lakes, rivers or the sea.

Some tribes view taniwha as ‘kaitiaki’ or ‘protectors of the people‘. They believe that taniwha are forces for good, that they protect people and their land. Others are depicted as frightening and dangerous. In some stories, taniwha kidnap people – usually women, so that they can keep them as wives.