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.
- Ngā Pūtake/roots represent our legislation and balance sheet
- Te Tariwai/vascular system represents the payment and settlement systems
- Te Toto/sap represents money, cash and foreign reserves
- Ngā Pekanga/branches and leaves represent the regulated entities—banks, insurers and non-bank deposit takers
- Kaitiakitanga/guardianship reflects our role as guardians of New Zealand’s financial system.
- We thank the northern hapu Te Roroa, who act as kaitiaki to Tāne Mahuta, for their support in our use of this narrative.