Creation StoriesMaori Mythology
Rangi and Papa Separated
Tāne-mahuta pushes the sky and earth apart to bring light and life to the world.
RanginuiPapatūānuku
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World Mythologies
Maori Mythology
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Creation StoriesMaori Mythology
Tane Creates Humans
Tane-Mahuta fashions the first woman from red clay and breathes the spark of life into her nostrils.
Tane-MahutaHine-ahu-one
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Creation StoriesMaori Mythology
The Children of Rangi and Papa
Tāne Mahuta separates his eternal parents, the Sky and Earth, to bring light and life to the world.
Rangi-nuiPapatūānuku
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Maui TalesMaori Mythology
Maui and Mahuika's Fire
Maui tricks the goddess of fire to discover how humans can create flames for themselves.
MauiMahuika
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Maui TalesMaori Mythology
Maui and Hine-nui-te-po
Maui's daring quest to end death ends in tragedy, cementing mortality for all of humanity.
MauiHine-nui-te-po
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Hero TalesMaori Mythology
Rata and the Waka
Rata learns that a hero's strength is nothing without respect for the spirits of the forest.
RataThe Forest Spirits
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Hero TalesMaori Mythology
Hinemoa and Tutanekai
A brave maiden swims Lake Rotorua to unite with her lover in this classic Maori legend.
HinemoaTutanekai
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Hero TalesMaori Mythology
Hatupatu and the Bird Woman
A clever young warrior outsmarts a monstrous winged ogress in a high-stakes race through fire and mud.
HatupatuKurungaituku (The Bird Woman)
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