Taniwha In Māori mythology, taniwha () are beings that live in deep pools in rivers, dark caves, or in the sea, especially in places with dangerous currents or deceptive breakers. The word 'taniwha' is also used to refer in a complimentary way to chiefs. The famous saying of the Tainui people of the Waikato district plays on this double meaningWaikato taniwha rau 'Waikato of a thousand chiefs' (Mead & Groves 2001