Page 3 - 2008 NZ SUB ANTARCTIC ISLANDS - SMARTPHONE

R Re es st to or ri in ng g P Pa ar ra ad di is se e

December 5 - 21, 2008

Chapter 1. Introduction

The Maori demi-god, Maui, crouched in the hull of his two older brothers’ waka (ocean-going
canoe) on a beautiful Pacific Ocean day of calm waters and blue skies punctuated with floating
white clouds. He was hidden because they had refused permission for him to join their daily
fishing expedition, as they always did. They said he was too young and would bring them bad
luck. The big canoe had set off from their home island, Hawaiiki, its actual location lost in the
shadows of time and myth. But Maui was confident he would lead them to many more fish than
they had ever caught in a single day, because he was convinced that his forefathers had granted
him magical powers. For this adventure, he had woven a special fishing line as instructed by his
personal protector.

When his brothers discovered him they were already far from land. Exasperated, they realized
they would not be able to take him back home before
beginning again because the daylight would fade from
the sky before they could come back with the day’s
catch. So all three began fishing accompanied by the
grumbling of the two brothers. Very soon they
realized that they were hauling in a huge number of big
and healthy fish, much more than usual. They began to
tease Maui about his “magic powers” but were pleased
at the take. Suddenly, Maui’s line was almost bent
double by the weight of his fish. He called to his
brothers to help him pull it in and they hurried to assist
him. The effort was enormous but they persevered
using every remaining bit of strength they possessed.
A huge dorsal fin and long backbone broke the ocean’s
surface and they marveled that Maui must have
snagged a whale! The great contest continued for
several hours before the entire “catch” appeared
floating before their wondering eyes. They called the
prize “Te Ika a Maui” (Maui’s Big Fish), but today it is
known as the North Island of New Zealand. Maori
legend insists that this is the true origin of that part of
the country. As the three brothers kept on struggling, another large piece of land finally popped
above the waves and they called it “Te Waka de Maui” (The Canoe of Maui), today the bigger
South Island. Little bits and pieces of land continued to rise during their titanic struggle, the
largest of these they called “Te Pung a Maui” (Maui’s Anchor) but today we know it as Stewart
Island lying to the south of big South Island. The other little land bits that were pulled along after
that “anchor” like a lost rope line, they failed to name. But today, they are called the Subantarctic
Islands of New Zealand.

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