Maori Myths and Legends - The creation of New Zealand - The fish of Maui (Te ika a Maui)

Maui was determined to go fishing with his brothers, but they did not want to take maui with them, and so he stowed away on their fishing boat until they were well out to sea. He then, to the disappointment of his brothers, sprung from his hiding place, yet Maui managed to convince his brothers not to turn back with him, but to continue on with the fishing trip.

He prepared his line and magic jawbone hook, and used his blood as bait as his brothers refused to share their bait with him. Soon after he had dropped his line he felt a tremendous pull on the line. He had landed a mighty fish, the water became turbulent and his brothers were fearful, pleading with Maui to cut the line and release his catch. Maui refused and begun to haul his mighty fish to the surface.

The strain on the line was so immense that Maui needed to adjust his footing by placing one foot on the side of the waka, giving him better leverage to haul the great fish to the surface. So tremendous was the strain, that the side of the waka broke out into the sea forming the Kaikoura Peninsula, Te Whakatakahanga A Maui.