2026 New Zealand 2 oz Silver Colorized Dwelling Taniwha: Forest

Product Details

This high relief antique colorized coin is the last one in the Dwelling Taniwha series featuring the forest-dwelling taniwha. This APMEXclusive® has a limited mintage of only 250 coins. This is one of the last coins from New Zealand Post.
Coin Highlights:

• Contains 2 oz of .999 fine silver.
• Limited worldwide mintage of 250.
• Comes in box with a numbered certificate of authenticity.
• Obverse: Displays the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III.
• Reverse: A colorful illustration of the mighty forest taniwha by New Zealand artist Dave Burke. Whataitai is a taniwha whose body became trapped in the land under the airport at Aotearoa New Zealands capital city Wellington when trying to escape from an inland lake. Upon his demise Whataitai’s wairua (spirit) transformed into a Keo bird and flew to the apex of nearby Mount Victoria to an area now known as Tangi te Keo – The cry of the Keo. This is where the taniwha Whataitai’s wairua departed to Hawaiki nui, Hawaiki roa, Hawaiki Pamamao – The great Hawaiki, The distant Hawaiki, Hawaiki the spiritual homeland. A memorial sits at the top of Mount Victoria commemorating and telling the story of Whataitai. It is one of Wellington’s most visited spots and the story of Whataitai and his brother Ngake are well known to all Wellingtonians.
• Officially issued by the New Zealand government.

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Taniwha
Te ao Maori (the Maori world) has many mythological references to supernatural entities and beings which dwell in te ao wairua (the spiritual realm). Taniwha feature prominently as powerful entities that can have both positive or a negative influence on people and environments. Although they are often depicted as fearsome in appearance, they can appear in many different forms. Taniwha are also known to dwell in te ao kikokiko (the terrestrial realm) and there are many narratives speaking of them. These stories give names and locations of taniwha, and they also describe what form and appearance each taniwha assumes. There are also waiata (songs) and haka (dances) attributed to their taniwha. Taniwha in their earthly form are often elemental in appearance, such as wood, wind, water or stone. Whether celestial or terrestrial, taniwha are a special part of te ao Maori and the peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand.

In many Maori legends, the taniwha are supernatural beings that live in caves, water and forest. Some of these creatures are protective while others are terrifying. These taniwhas can be depicted as giant lizards, reptile-like sea creatures or even logs of wood in the river.

New Zealand Post
Along with the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, the New Zealand Post is the sole issue for all New Zealand legal tender coins. The mint does not produce coins, but sources out to some of the most recognized mints in the world. The coins from the New Zealand Post commemorate significant events and cultural celebrations. The Maori culture plays a major role in New Zealand's everyday life.