Maori Legend – the
creation of New ZealandA long time after the creation of the world –
after Tane mahuta had created a woman out of red earth, breathed life into her
nostrils, mated with her and had a daughter, who also became his wife and bore
him other daughters, and after many other things had happened – the demigod
Maui, who lived in Hawaiki, went out fishing with his brothers.
They went further and further out to sea. When they were a long way out, Maui
took out his magic fish-hook (the jaw of his sorcerer grandmother), tied it to a
strong rope, then dropped it over the side of the canoe. Soon he caught an
immense fish and, struggling mightily, pulled it up.
This fish became the North Island of NZ, called by the ancient Maori Te ika a
Maui (the fish of Maui) or sometimes Te ikaroa a Maui (the big fish of Maui).
The Mahia Peninsula, at the north end of Hawke Bay on the east coast of the
North Island, was known as Te matau a Maui (the fish-hook of Maui), since it was
the hook with which he caught the giant fish.
The South Island was known as Te waka a Maui, or the canoe of Maui, in which
he was sitting when he caught the fish. Kaikoura Peninsula, on the north-east
coast of the South Island, was the seat of the canoe. Another name for the South
Island was Te wai Pounamu (the water greenstone), since much greenstone (jade,
or pounamu) was found in the rivers there.
Stewart Island, south of the South Island, was known as Te punga a Maui (the
anchor of Maui). It was the anchor that held the canoe as Maui hauled in the
giant fish.
