Māori myths and legends

A DigitalNZ Story by Janice

Image: The Tale of the Hakawai - Tales from Te Papa episode 102

The Tale of the Hakawai - Tales from Te Papa episode 102

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Place names: Māori myths & legends with a love theme

Place names: Māori myths & legends with a love theme

Radio New Zealand

Image: THE FISHING OF MAUI This picture illustrates the Maori myth of the fishing up of New Zealand (in other words, its discovery) by the Polynesian hero and demi-god Maui-tikitiki-o-Taranga. Maui, says the legend, went out m his canoe to fish, and so potent were his incantations and the mana of ids magic hook that he drew up from the ocean depths the Island of New Zealand, which to this day is known as "Te Ika-a-Maui" (The Fish of Maui). The singular tatooing on the faces of Maui and his companion (one of his brothers) is that of the ancient Polynesian design known as Moko-kuri. The picture at the aide, showing Maui hauling up his fish, is that of a very fine carved slab in Mr C. G Nelson'scarved house, "Rauru," which until recently stood at Whakarewarewa, Rotorua The design bordering the picture is that known as taniko the pattern used in endless variety by Maori mat-weavers (Otago Witness, 21 December 1904)

THE FISHING OF MAUI This picture illustrates the Maori myth of the fishing up of New Zealand (in other words, its discovery) by the Polynesian her...

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Plate

Plate

Puke Ariki

Image: Maori Tiki

Maori Tiki

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Book

Maui in the South Seas - Legends of the Maori

Victoria University of Wellington