Māui’s legendary fishing up of the North Island gave rise to many place names. The North Island was Māui’s fish (Te Ika-a-Māui), the South Island was his canoe (Te Waka-a-Māui), and Stewart Island the anchor stone (Te Punga-a-Māui). Traditions of Māui fishing up islands are common in Polynesia, having been taken from island to island throughout centuries of migration.
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