Andrew Biggs
Moderator
Side one features the Demi God, Maui, lying in his waka (canoe) with the waves crashing all around him. The front of the waka has a carved figure with the tongue forming a loop to become the hook (made from the jawbone of his grandmother) that catches the North Island known as Te Ika a Maui. (The fish of Maui)
It is generally accepted that the waka was the South Island of New Zealand otherwise known as Te Wai Pounamu (The waters of greenstone)
Side two shows Te Ika a Maui caught on the fish hook and rising out of the waves.
It’s interesting to note that the names Te Ika a Maui and Te Wai Pounamu were only formally recognised and passed into legislation late last year even though Maori have recognised the names for hundreds of years. So now they will be on all future maps of New Zealand. They are certainly a lot more exotic and interesting names than North and South Island
Cheers
Andrew
It is generally accepted that the waka was the South Island of New Zealand otherwise known as Te Wai Pounamu (The waters of greenstone)
Side two shows Te Ika a Maui caught on the fish hook and rising out of the waves.
It’s interesting to note that the names Te Ika a Maui and Te Wai Pounamu were only formally recognised and passed into legislation late last year even though Maori have recognised the names for hundreds of years. So now they will be on all future maps of New Zealand. They are certainly a lot more exotic and interesting names than North and South Island
Cheers
Andrew
Attachments
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Te-Ika-a-Maui-1.jpg -
Te-Ika-a-Maui-2.jpg
