From North to South - The Legend of Maui
Taking the sea journey from Aotearoa’s Northern Island to the South is a gorgeous journey one is not soon to forget. However, the stories tying these two islands together is another adventure all in itself.
Taking the scenic ferry ride from the North Island to the South of Aotearoa, is an experience one is not soon to forget. Rolling hills on floating islands drift by, leaving viewers speechless at the grandeur right before their very eyes. Fluffy clouds sit perched atop mountainous ranges that seem to envelop the entire world in a down blanket. All in all, the ride is worth the views alone, not to mention how much it’ll save you on airfare. New Zealand is a country made up of hundreds of small islands as well as two main landmasses. These are the North and South Islands which although can be very alike at times, also have some key differences in politics, demographic makeup, and even plant life. And just like every other landmark in Aotearoa, these islands also find their roots in Maori mythology.
The story of Aotearoa’s creation is centered around the famed hero Maui, a youthful trickster who uses his guile to win himself the hearts of every Māori. The story begins with young Maui being left behind by his brothers as they embark on their daily fishing trip. Furious and determined to go with them the next day, he spent all night weaving his own line, casting a precious Karakia (prayer) as he went. Early in the morning he enclosed himself into the hull of their waka and ships off to sea unbeknownst to the rest of the party. As they reach the fishing grounds Maui burst forth, revealing himself and demanding that he be allowed to fish alongside them. As his older brothers mocked him mercilessly, Maui cast his hook deep into the sea and almost immediately felt his line go taut. Soon the boat began to move, dragged along by Maui’s catch and straining to stay afloat against the pull of his fish. Eventually Maui was able to reel in his catch revealing it to be the largest fish he had ever seen. Ecstatic with his find and eager to share with the village, Maui rushed off. While he was gone, his brothers ferociously tore at Maui’s catch, gauging its’ skin and pulling huge pieces away. When the villagers returned with Maui, they saw the greed that consumed his brothers. The pieces they had torn away carved the fish into a landscape of mountains and valleys. In time this fish became known as the North Island of Aotearoa and Maui’s canoe, the South Island.
References;
Charles Royal, Te Ahukaramū. “Whenua – How the Land Was Shaped”. Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. June 12, 2006. https://teara.govt.nz/en/whenua-how-the-land-was-shaped/print
