With my trip home to New Zealand fast approaching, the Travel Tuesday prompt to share an urban myth or local legend from your home or somewhere you’ve visited reminded me of the many great stories of Māori mythology. From creation myths, to trickster gods, to love gone wrong, I grew up learning these stories and love how firmly rooted in the land they are. I hope you enjoy my home’s local legends!
Tāne Mahuta separates Heaven and Earth
In the beginning, Ranginui (sky father) and Papatūānuku (earth mother) lay together in a tight embrace, and their children lived in the darkness between them. They grew frustrated and attempted to part their parents. One by one the children tried – first Rongomātāne, the god of agriculture, then Tangaroa, god of oceans. Haumia-tiketike, god of wild food and and Tūmatauenga, god of war, were similarly unsuccessful. Finally it was the turn of Tāne Mahuta, god of the forests. Rather than trying to slay their parents, Tāne Mahuta lifted his father into the sky with all the trees in the world, and so created Te Ao Mārama – the world of light.
The giant kauri tree above is also named Tāne Mahuta, and is one of the most famous trees in New Zealand, as it is the largest standing of its kind. It is over 51 m tall and could be 2,500 years old!
Māui finds New Zealand
Māui is one of the most fun characters in Maori mythology, as he is cunning and a bit of a trickster. Māui used to beg his brothers to take him out fishing with them, but when they refused, he hid in the bottom of the canoe. Once he knew they were too far from shore to return, he came out of hiding, shocking them all. Although they were very angry, when he blessed their fishing they began to immediately catch many buckets of fish, appeasing them somewhat! Māui then took a sacred fishbone passed down from his ancestor, and attempted to fish himself. He cast his line and recited his karakia (prayer), and almost immediately caught a giant fish. He hauled it to the surface, where it towered over their canoe and left it with his brothers to safeguard while he returned to bring their people. While he was away they immediately began hacking into the giant fish. These pieces that they hacked off became mountains and valleys, and the fish became the North Island of New Zealand, while the canoe became the South Island of New Zealand.
Can you see the fish and the canoe?
A Mountain of a Love Story
Mount Taranaki – photo credit: Zoe Phillips
Ruapehu, a beautiful lady, was married to Taranaki. One day while he was away hunting she met and was seduced by Tongariro. When Taranaki returned, surprising them, a huge battle ensued, and Taranaki was defeated. He retreated from the centre of the North Island to the west, and resting there became Mount Taranaki. To this day he looks towards his love, Mount Ruapehu, who sits beside the victorious Tongariro. The mist coating Taranaki’s head is a sign of his everlasting love for Ruapehu.
Please note: these are well-known stories in New Zealand, important to the Maori people, and here told in my own words. For more details on these and other Maori mythology, check out Te Ara – The Encyclopaedia of New Zealand or Te Kete Ipurangi.
What are your favourite stories from your home?
