After the other brothers had failed to separate their parents Tāne Mahuta, god of the forests and the birds, lay with his back on Papatuanuku, the earth mother, and placed the soles of his feet on Ranginui, the sky father. Tāne strained his powerful thighs and pushed up against his father with his feet. After a time the parents could no longer stand up to the great strength of Tāne and released the embrace they had held each other in since the beginning of time. Ranginui was pushed up into the heavens and light rushed into the world.

Tangaroa spread his waters about Papatuanuku and Tāwhirimātea, the brother who is the god of the winds, roared into the space between the parents.