Maui

Maui was not one of the god-children of Rangi and Papa, but he was a legendary demi-god, originally from Hawaiiki. He was known not only for his special powers, but also his cheekiness and daring. He had many adventures, one of which included fishing up New Zealand itself.

One day when he was very young, he hid in the bottom of his brothers' boat in order to go out fishing with them. The brothers discovered him, but he tricked them into allowing him to continue with them. Once they were far out into the ocean Maui dropped his magic fishhook over the side of the waka. After a while he felt a strong tug on the line. This seemed to be too strong a tug to be any ordinary fish, so Maui called to his brothers for assistance.

After much straining and pulling, up suddenly surfaced Te Ika a Maui (the fish of Maui), known today as the North Island of New Zealand. Maui told his brothers that the Gods might be angry about this, and he asked his brothers to wait while he went to make peace with the Gods.

However, once Maui had gone his brothers began to argue among themselves about the possession of this new land. They took out their weapons and started pounding away at the catch. The blows on the land created the many mountains and valleys of the North Island today.

The South Island is known as Te Waka a Maui (the waka of Maui). Stewart Island, which lies at the very bottom of New Zealand, is known as Te Punga a Maui (Maui's anchor), as it was the anchor holding Maui's waka (canoe) as he pulled in the giant fish.