Māori Myths by the Sandman
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The Māori Creation Story (English & Te Reo Māori available)
In the beginning Ranginui (the Sky Father) and Papatūānuku (the Earth Mother) were joined together, and their children were born between them in darkness. One of their children decided to separate their parents, to also allow light to come into the world. After this, the children became gods of various parts of the natural world. Click here to view the videos.
How Māui Tamed the Sun (English & Te Reo Māori available)
Long ago, the sun moved across the sky too quickly and there was not enough time to fish and hunt. Māui, with the help of his brothers, decided to harness the sun to slow it down so that the days would be longer and they would all have more time to find food. With the help of the sacred jawbone of his ancestor, Māui tamed Tamanuiterā (the sun). Click here to view the video.
Te Ika a Māui (The Fish of Maui) (English & Te Reo Māori available)
Māui's brothers always refused to take him fishing with them and would always leave him behind. Māui came up with a plan to hide in the bottom of the canoe. When his brothers headed out to fish, he surprised them. His brothers refused to share their bait and Māui used the jawbone of his ancestors to attract the greatest fish of all. Click here to view the videos.
Ngā Whētu o Matariki (The Stars of Matariki) (English & Te Reo Māori available)
Matariki is the Māori New Year - the cluster of stars is also known as 'Pleiades' (Ancient Greek) - Makali'i (Hawaii), Subaru (Japan). This cluster of stars helped predict the coming year. There are many star constellations in Māori astrology and this is one of the many. There are also other versions of the story depending on what iwi (tribe) one comes from. Click here to view the videos.
How Māui found the Secret of Fire (Te Reo Māori)
This story recounts how Māui with the Godess of Fire - Mahuika and how he found the secret of fire. Click here to view the video.