Awanuiārangi is a significant figure in Māori mythology, often regarded as a personification of the sky or the heavens. In some traditions, he is associated with the creation of the world and is considered a progenitor of various Māori tribes. His name translates to "great waters," reflecting the connection between the sky and the ocean in Māori cosmology. In addition to his mythological importance, Awanuiārangi is also linked to the Māori concept of whakapapa, which refers to genealogy and the interconnectedness of all living things. This connection emphasizes the relationship between people, nature, and the spiritual realm in Māori culture.