Rangi and Papa - Myth - OMNIKA Mythology

About this myth

Rangi and Papa is a Creation myth originating from the Māori belief system. The main deity depicted in this myth is likely Ranginui. Others include and Papatūānuku.

In a nutshell

Myth summary

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Attested: Unknown

Created: Unknown

Myth type: Creation

Main deity: Ranginui

Belief system: Māori

Origin: Oceania › Australia and New Zealand › New Zealand

Belief system

Māori Religion

Polytheistic

Māori religion refers to the cultural beliefs and practices of the Māori people in New Zealand (Polynesia).

Ranginui

Main deity

Ranginui was a primordial deity associated with creation in some Māori religious traditions of New Zealand.

Other deities mentioned

More information

Background

The Rangi and Papa creation myth comes from the Māori belief system of people in modern-day New Zealand. It details how the first couple named Ranginui and Papatūānuku (the primordial parents) created the entire world and all humans. In some traditions, there was also a severe conflict among the children of Rangi and Papa.

Texts related to this myth

See full texts of this myth via related artifacts. Where available, a translation is included.

All texts

Title

Cite this page

MLA Modern Language Association (8th ed.)

OMNIKA Foundation Contributors. "Rangi and Papa." OMNIKA – World Mythology Index, OMNIKA Foundation, 08 May. 2019, omnika.org/stable/148. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.

APA American Psychological Association (6th ed.)

OMNIKA (2019, May 08). Rangi and Papa. Retrieved from https://omnika.org/stable/148

CMS Chicago Manual of Style (16th ed.)

OMNIKA Foundation Contributors. "Rangi and Papa." Las Vegas, NV: OMNIKA Foundation. Created May 08, 2019. Accessed December 7, 2025. https://omnika.org/stable/148.

Bibliography

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