In Māori mythology, a taniwha is a supernatural creature that can inhabit lakes, rivers, and caves and is often compared with a dragon.
Taniwha are important beings in Māori tradition rather than a single species with one fixed appearance. Some are described as enormous reptiles, serpents, sharks, whales, or other powerful animals. Their roles can also differ: a taniwha may protect a community and its resources, or it may threaten travelers and punish violations of important rules.
Stories of particular taniwha are tied to named places and tribal histories throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. This means that the word cannot be reduced to the European idea of a fire-breathing dragon. It refers more broadly to a powerful supernatural guardian or danger associated with water and the landscape.
Taniwha are sometimes confused with patupaiarehe, who are generally described as supernatural people or fairy-like beings rather than water monsters.