Taniwha | New Zealand

Beings that reside among dangerous currents, may be guardians or predators.

• They live in deep pools, hiding out in rivers, dark caves or, the deepest of all pools…the sea! They like being in dangerous currents or giant waves!
• Good? Bad? Both? They’re considered kaitiaki, or protective guardians, of people and places in some legends. However, if told through other legends, they’re depicted as monsters who steal/kidnap women to marry.
• Taniwha loosely translates to shark species of the Proto-Oceanic word, “tanifa.”
• So, shark species means it probably looks like a fish of some sort, right? Right! Depending on the body of water. It’s beensaid there are some taniwha that appear to be alligators. There are a few legends which describe the taniwha as a log.
• If someone comes across a taniwha, they might turn into one after they pass.