Tradition: Māori Mythology, New Zealand Mythology
Alternative Names: Hakaturi, Hākuturi, Tini-o-hakaturi, Te-Tini-O-Hakaturi
Category: Forest Dweller
The Myth
The Khakaturi are supernatural nature spirits who guard the forests of New Zealand. They are servants of Tāne, the great god of forests, birds, and the natural world. These spirits can take the form of birds and insects, but they are also capable of appearing in human-like shapes. Their appearance is often associated with bow-legged bodies, and they can remain hidden from human sight while watching over the woodland. The Khakaturi are protective of their forest home and can become aggressive when people disturb it or take its resources without permission.
One Māori tale tells of a warrior who cut down a tree to make a canoe. After spending the night in the forest, he returned the following morning to find the felled tree standing upright again, as though it had never been touched. The Khakaturi had restored the tree through their supernatural powers. The warrior realized that he had angered the forest spirits and that his actions had to be corrected. Only through repentance could he escape punishment for disturbing their domain.
The Khakaturi eventually spared the warrior, and over the following night they helped him by creating a better canoe, enabling him to return home faster than the wind. The tale demonstrates that the spirits can punish those who disrespect the forest, but they may also show mercy to those who acknowledge their wrongdoing. As guardians of the woodland, the Khakaturi protect the trees and creatures under Tāne’s care, reminding people that the natural world is not theirs to exploit without consequence.
Sources
“Khakaturi.” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). Accessed October 11, 2026. https://www.bestiary.us/khakaturi