Story: Whenua – how the land was shaped

‘Maui’

‘Maui’

Māui is renowned for fishing up the North Island or Te Ika-a-Māui (the fish of Māui) from his canoe, which later became the South Island. The tale is depicted in this ink drawing by Wilhelm Dittmer, a German who visited New Zealand to collect oral traditions, and illustrated a number of mythical scenes.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: PUBL-0088-049
Drawing by Wilhelm Dittmer

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, 'Whenua – how the land was shaped - The North and South islands', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/6720/maui (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, published 12 Jun 2006