Tūmatauenga — God of War and People

When the children of Ranginui and Papatūānuku debated how to separate their parents, only Tūmatauenga — the god of war — argued for killing them. He was overruled. As punishment for the rebellion of his siblings who had refused to fight, Tūmatauenga decreed that humans would hunt and eat all the children of the other gods — the birds, fish, plants, and animals of the world. Tūmatauenga is the patron of humanity — not because humans are peaceful, but because survival requires conflict, and Tūmatauenga is honest about that. He is the god of the person who does what is necessary when it must be done.

These signs carry the taiaha fighting staff, the warrior's stance, the face of Tūmatauenga, and the unflinching courage of the Māori warrior tradition.