How Tāne Mahuta can explain our financial system
Māori oral traditions tell us that Tāne Mahuta dug his shoulders into Papatuanuku (earth mother) and used his legs to push against Ranginui (sky father), separating them and letting the light into the world. With that light, Tāne Mahuta, guardian of the forest and birds, enabled life to thrive. We thank the northern hapu Te Roroa, who act as kaitiaki to Tāne Mahuta, for their support in our use of this narrative.
Kaitiakitanga | Guardianship
Reflects our role as guardians of New Zealand’s financial system.
Ngā Pekanga | Branches and leaves
Represent the regulated entities — banks, insurers and non-bank deposit takers.
Te Toto | Sap
Represents money, cash and foreign reserves.
Te Tariwai | Vascular system
Represents the payment and settlement systems.
Ngā Pūtake | Roots
Represent our legislation and balance sheet.
The lobby of our Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) office is a physical manifestation of the Tāne Mahuta narrative.
