The Fish of Maui

Once long ago there was a Demi-god his name was Maui. He was a smart quick-witted trickster that had accomplished many things. Maui had great determination and willpower, enough to slow down the sun!

One day Maui's brothers who were not very fond of him. Decided to go on a fishing trip. They had very clearly established that Maui was not allowed to come. But little did they know that Maui had been listening to them all along and was conspiring to join. 

Maui grabbed his hook which also happened to be his Grandmothers magical jawbone. He then hid in his brothers waka awaiting their arrival. At the peak of dawn Maui's brothers came they made there way onto the blue moana which was shimmering in the morning sun. 

Maui's brothers rowed waka way past the village, river and maunga. When Maui was sure they were far from land he appeared from his hiding spot. Maui's brothers wore spiteful expressions. Maui started to recite a karakia making the waka speed out further into the ocean. The waka stopped Maui looked Maui was sure that it was the perfect fishing spot. 

Maui reached for the bait but his brothers refused to share it with him.  He then started bashing his fists into his face until he got a nose bleed. He smeared his blood against the hook. After swing it in the air seven times it plummeted into the ocean.

Not soon after there was a tug on his rope, there was something on his hook. Maui tried to look down into the sea and look at what was on his hook but he couldn’t. So Maui started to pull, his brothers begged him to let go but Maui wouldn't stand for it. He kept pulling he was determined to catch a fish.

Maui pulled and pulled after he had no strength left he found that the fish he caught was a megalithic fish it was enormous. He dived into the ocean to thank tangaroa god of the Sea, as in Maori culture is customary to take what you need and give back to the earth. 

When the fish came to the surface of the moana it closed its eyes and perished away. His brothers grew greedy and started to cut and claim the fish. The fish floated on the surface of the moana and to this day that fish was none as the north Island of Aotearoa.