Tāwhaki

Tāwhaki is a benevolent Taniwha inhabiting Mount Aoraki.

Appearance
Tāwhaki was a large Taniwha, about the size of a deer, with large, jagged antlers. He had green-blue scales, six legs and a long tail. Like all Taniwha he had yellow eyes, jagged teeth and purple blood.

Personality
Little is known of Tāwhaki, but Russell apparently trusted him enough to patrol the cabin path, indicating that he was reliable. He was also very brave, fighting multiple Taniwha in an attempt to protect Jacob and Harper. Isabelle also notes that he was "a gentle giant" and that she is sorry he is gone, suggesting that even though he lashed out at Jacob as he was dying, this was likely more due to fear than any aggression.

Narrative
Tāwhaki was sent by Russell to patrol the path to the cabin and protect the students if they tried to venture up. He detected Harper and Jacob, and attempted to scare them back to the lodge multiple times, first by calling out, then by appearing in front of their binoculars, finally by leaping in front of their path. When this proved unsuccesful and the two approached the trap set by other Taniwha, Tāwhaki attempted to fight them off. Despite managing to injure at least one, he was mortally wounded and was put out of his misery by Jacob. His corpse was dragged away by one of the other Taniwha, and was later found in the mines by Margarita, Isabelle and Jacob, where Isabelle recognised the paua around his neck.

Legacy
Jacob took the paua that identified Tāwhaki and carried it with him off the mountain in memory of the Taniwha who died to save him.