Te Waka a Māui facts for kids
Te Waka a Māui is a special Māori name for the South Island of New Zealand. In Māori mythology, it means "the canoe of Māui." Māui was a powerful demigod hero with amazing magic. The story says he stood on this canoe when he pulled up the North Island, which is known as Te Ika-a-Māui (the fish of Māui).
The Legend of Māui's Great Catch
Māui lived in Hawaiki, the ancient homeland of the Māori people. One day, his brothers went on a long fishing trip. Māui secretly hid in their canoe. He wanted to join them, even though they usually left him behind.
Once they were far out at sea, Māui used his magic. He made the journey back to shore seem much longer. This way, his brothers couldn't just turn around and take him home.
When they were very far from land, Māui dropped his special magic fishhook into the ocean. Soon, he felt a huge pull on the line. It was much stronger than any ordinary fish! Māui called to his brothers for help.
Together, they struggled and pulled with all their might. Slowly, a giant piece of land rose from the sea. This land was the North Island of New Zealand! From that day on, Māori people have called it Te Ika-a-Māui.
Because Māui stood on the South Island while he fished, it became known as Te Waka a Māui. It was his mighty canoe for this incredible feat.
Māui's Anchor: Stewart Island
There is also a third, smaller island south of New Zealand. This island is called Te Punga a Māui. This name means "Māui's anchor." It is said that this island was the anchor for Māui's canoe during his great fishing adventure. In English, this island is known as Stewart Island.
Other Names for the South Island
The official names for the South Island are simply the South Island or Te Waipounamu. Te Waipounamu means "the waters of greenstone." This name comes from the valuable greenstone (pounamu) found there.
Another old Māori name for the South Island is Te Waka a Aoraki. This name means "the canoe of Aoraki." Aoraki is a very important ancestor in another Māori tradition.
