Ngā rū, ngā kaupeka
Say it: roo-ah-oo-MO-ko · Rua = pit, chasm; moko = lizard, and the tattooed one.
The unborn child still at his mother's breast. Rūaumoko is change from beneath — upheaval that reshapes what was fixed.
Ko wai tēnei? — in plain words
The youngest child, still unborn or nursing inside Papatūānuku. When he turns, the ground shakes and volcanoes speak — earthquakes are a child moving, not a punishment.
Whanaungatanga: Youngest son of Ranginui and Papatūānuku, never separated from his mother.
Where you already meet them
Te kōrero — the story
When Papatūānuku was turned to face the earth, her youngest remained within her. His movements are felt as earthquakes and volcanic fire, and his turning brings the change of seasons.
A common misunderstanding
Shaking is not divine anger. It is family movement — which is why the response in tikanga is care and calm, not appeasement.
Ngā uara
Panoni
Change arrives whether invited or not.
Manawaroa
Endurance through the shaking.
If you are new to this — start here
Check that your household is actually ready for a shake. Preparedness is a form of respect.
I tēnei ao — acknowledging today
He mihi
Rūaumoko, e ngunguru nei, kia mārire tō haere.
Rūaumoko, rumbling below, may your passing be gentle.
Ngā taha o te ora