Te Wehenga o Ranginui rāua ko Papatūānuku tells the story of the separation of Sky Father (Ranginui) and Earth Mother (Papatūānuku). They lay in a close embrace for many, many years before some of their children began to consider the restrictions they existed under.

Curiosity led a number of the sons to venture out from the warmth and security that the parents provided. They discovered beauty and space outside, but also chilling and adverse weather. They hastily returned to the protection of home, as they had always known it.