The principal gods and goddesses in the Maori pantheon include central figures like Rangi (the sky father) and Papatūānuku (the earth mother). Their union represents the creation of the world and the basis of all life. Other significant deities include Tāne, the god of forests and birds, and Hades, the god of the underworld. These divine beings embody various elements of nature, life, and the human experience. Maori mythology emphasizes the connection between humans and the environment, where each deity plays a role in sustaining the balance and harmony of existence, highlighting the relationships between land, family, and community.