When Tāne separated his parents, he brought about Te Ao Mārama (the world of light and life) and the world within which we live today. In Te Ao Mārama, Tāne and his brothers flourished. Tāne is the most celebrated of the Māori deities, with his exploits and gifts reflected in the many names and roles he holds: Tāne Mahuta (god of the forest); Tāne-nui-a-Rangi (the great son of Ranginui); Tāne-te-Waiora (Tāne who gives life, prosperity, welfare and sunlight); Tāne-Whakapiripiri (Tāne the protector). With over 50 names and deeds, Tāne is the supreme god. These artworks pay tribute to the importance of Tāne and Te Ao Mārama. They recall deeds that include fashioning the first woman, Hine-ahu-one, from kurawaka, sacred red clay. Tāne’s eventual union with Hine-ahu-one created Hine-tītama (dawn maiden).
Nā te whakawehenga a Tāne i ōna mātua i puta mai ai Te Ao Mārama – te ao e noho nei tātou i tēnei rā. Ka puāwai, ka pakari a Tāne rātou ko ōna tēina, ko ōna tuākana i Te Ao Mārama. Ko Tāne te atua rongonui rawa atu, ka mutu kitea ai āna mahi whakahirahira me ōna pūkenga kei roto i ōna ingoa huhua: Ko Tāne Mahuta; ko Tāne-nui-a-Rangi; ko Tāne- te-Waiora; ko Tāne-Whakapiripiri. Nui ake i te 50 ōna ingoa me ōna mahi wanawana, ko Tāne te atua taioreore. Kitea ai i roto i tēnei rūma ngā toi e whakamānawa nei i te mana o Tāne, te mana o Te Ao Mārama. Kei te maumaharatia ngā mahi nui whakaharahara e ēnei toi tae rawa atu ki te tārai ki i te kurawaka i te wahine tuatahi a Hine-ahu-one. Ka moe a Tāne i a Hine-ahu-one ka puta a Hine-tītama, te putanga tuatahi tonu o te awatea.
