Tangaroa is the Māori god of the sea and all marine life, one of the major atua (deities) in Māori mythology. As the son of Ranginui (the Sky Father) and Papatūānuku (the Earth Mother), Tangaroa represents the forces of the ocean. Tangaroa’s territory is large, covering oceans, rivers, and fish, and he is respected for his control over marine and coastal environments.