Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A mythical Maori monster of some kind, especially a water-monster, often described as a huge fish of hideous aspect.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun New Zealand
spirit ,monster in Maori mythology, especially one that dwells in the water - noun New Zealand a person who
embodies the spirit of a taniwha
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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The taniwha is a mythical protector with a powerful role in Maori folklore, but get it angry and you're in trouble, Mr Wilcox said.
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Sometimes the beast was a land animal, a lizard, etc, but the true _taniwha_ is a water kelpie.
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But Horotiu, a mythical monster, put the NZ$2.6 billion project in doubt after an indigenous Maori board protested that it will destroy grounds once patrolled by the make-believe taniwha, pronounced tani-fa.
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It tells the stories of Kupe's discovery of Te Whanganui a Tara (Wellington) and the sea taniwha who created Wellington Harbour, Ngake and Whataitai.
NewsWire.co.nz Newswire Team 2010
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Waikato taniwharau, he piko he taniwha, he piko he taniwha
NZ On Screen 2010
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Knghtbrd: it's not bloat if it's used taniwha: how do you explain windoze then?
OCAU News 2009
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Mac users should stick with Bluetooth and download the correct modem script from taniwha. org.uk or another similar site.
Smart Device Central - Latest Reviews, Tips and Help for PDAs and Smart Phones 2008
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He mentions in the book that taniwha can learn to take on human form and that Reka asked his grandfather to teach him how to do that (because she wants grandchildren.
GUARDIAN OF THE DEAD discussion/question thread. karenhealey 2010
knitandpurl commented on the word taniwha
At the start of Kehua! by Fay Weldon, there's this:
"May the Maori amongst you excuse this fictional foray
into your world, for which, believe me,
I have the greatest respect, having as a child
in the Coromandel encountered both taniwha and kehua."
October 26, 2013