Ghosts and spirits in Maori culture
![A phantom canoe was believed to have been seen by tourists at Lake Tarawera eleven days before Mount Tarawera erupted in 1886.](/Images/godic/202501/22/Abaconda_lake_tarawera1704.jpg")
![Spirits Bay is considered a sacred place in Māori belief.](/Images/godic/202501/22/Spiritsbay1704.jpg")
The topic of ghosts and spirits (kehua) in Māori culture is often considered a tapu subject, yet many Māori legends contain mentions of apparitions and paranormal occurrences. It is claimed that long deceased family members may appear to warn of upcoming danger, such as with the famous phantom canoe in 1886 that many reportedly saw on Lake Tarawera, that is believed to have been an omen for the volcanic eruption that occurred eleven days later.