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Story: Whenua – how the land was shaped

Māui’s fish hook

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Māui’s fish hook

When Māui fished up the North Island, he is said to have used a hook made from the jawbone of his grandmother, Murirangawhenua. The curve of Cape Kidnappers / Te Kauwae-a-Māui represents the hook, and is also known as Te Matau-a-Māui (Māui’s fish hook).

Using this item

Private collection

by Kynan Gentry

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

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How to cite this page

Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, Whenua – how the land was shaped – The North and South islands, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/8521/mauis-fish-hook (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, published 2 March 2009.