Māori mythology forms a rich and integral part of the indigenous Māori culture in Aotearoa (New Zealand), comprising stories, gods, and creation myths that explain the universe, the natural world, and the lives of the Māori people. These stories have been passed down orally through generations, retaining the beliefs, customs, and moral teachings of the Māori people. The foundation of Māori mythology is based on whakapapa (genealogy), which connects all living things, the land, the gods, and the universe itself, forming a deeply spiritual framework for understanding the world.
At the heart of Māori mythology are the atua, the gods and supernatural beings who shape the universe and govern different aspects of life. These deities often represent forces of nature, and their stories intertwine to explain creation, the natural order, and the cultural values of the Māori people. Many of the central figures in Māori mythology are personifications of elements of the world, such as the sky, the earth, the sea, and various environmental features like forests and rivers.
In Māori cosmology, the creation of the world begins with a state of Te Kore (the nothingness), which evolves into Te Pō (the night), and then finally into Te Ao Mārama (the world of light, the living world). These stages represent the emergence of the universe from a void of potential into the physical world as it is known. This creation story is closely tied to the legends of Ranginui (the Sky Father) and Papatūānuku (the Earth Mother), two primordial gods whose union led to the birth of the natural world.
According to Māori tradition, in the beginning, Ranginui and Papatūānuku were locked in an embrace, and their children, the atua, were confined between them in darkness. Their children, frustrated by their lack of space and light, sought to separate their parents to allow the world to grow. The most famous of their children, Tāne Mahuta, the god of forests and birds, eventually succeeded in pushing Ranginui upwards to form the sky while Papatūānuku remained below as the earth. This separation brought Te Ao Mārama, the world of light, and enabled the flourishing of life. The tears of Ranginui for his lost love, Papatūānuku, are said to form the rain, while the mists rising from the earth are the sighs of Papatūānuku longing for her sky-bound lover.
Tāne Mahuta, being responsible for the separation, became one of the most revered gods in Māori mythology. As the god of forests, trees, and birds, Tāne is also credited with creating the first human, Hineahuone, from the clay of the earth. Tāne breathed life into Hineahuone, and she became the first woman. Tāne then took Hineahuone as his wife, and together they had a daughter, Hine-tītama, who would later become Hine-nui-te-pō, the goddess of death. The transformation of Hine-tītama into Hine-nui-te-pō represents the cyclical nature of life and death in Māori mythology.
The creation of humankind and the introduction of death are significant in Māori mythology, as they mark the transition from an immortal to a mortal existence. When Hine-tītama learned that her husband, Tāne, was also her father, she fled to the underworld, becoming Hine-nui-te-pō, the guardian of the dead. Her role in the afterlife illustrates the Māori belief in the continuation of the soul after death, where the deceased return to Hine-nui-te-pō’s embrace in the afterlife.
In addition to Tāne Mahuta, other major deities play important roles in Māori mythology. Tangaroa is the god of the sea and all its creatures. He is one of the central atua, and the ocean is considered his domain. The descendants of Tangaroa include many sea creatures, such as fish and reptiles, which play significant roles in Māori life and mythology. The respect for Tangaroa and his offspring is evident in the Māori relationship with the sea, which is both a provider of food and a powerful force that must be respected.
Another prominent god is Tūmatauenga, the god of war and human activity. In Māori mythology, Tūmatauenga represents not only war but also conflict, courage, and the mastery of life. He is known for his strength and ferocity, and he opposed his brother Tāne’s decision to separate their parents. When the separation occurred, Tūmatauenga swore revenge on his brothers for their disloyalty. His influence is evident in the traditional Māori practices of warfare and the emphasis on valor, strength, and the defense of one’s tribe. His sacred weapons are said to have been passed down to warriors, and his spirit is invoked in times of battle.
Rongo, another important god, is associated with peace and agriculture. He governs the cultivation of crops, particularly the kūmara (sweet potato), which is a staple food in Māori society. Rongo represents fertility, harvest, and the well-being of the community. In contrast to the warlike nature of Tūmatauenga, Rongo’s influence is more nurturing, symbolizing the importance of food and sustenance in ensuring the survival and prosperity of the people.
Haumia-tiketike, the god of wild and uncultivated foods, complements Rongo’s domain over agriculture. Together, these gods illustrate the Māori understanding of the balance between cultivated and wild food sources, highlighting the need to respect and utilize the natural environment wisely. This connection between gods, food, and survival underscores the Māori belief that all things are interconnected and that the actions of the gods directly influence human life.
One of the most intriguing figures in Māori mythology is Māui, the trickster demigod whose adventures are known throughout Polynesia. Māui is a cultural hero and a shape-shifter, known for his cleverness and audacity. He is credited with many feats, including slowing the sun to make the days longer, lifting the sky, and fishing up the North Island of New Zealand from the ocean using a magic fishhook. Māui’s stories often involve deception and trickery, but they ultimately benefit humanity. His boldness and ingenuity are celebrated in Māori culture, where he is seen as both a mischievous and transformative figure.
One of the most famous stories of Māui is his attempt to conquer death. According to Māori legend, Māui sought to win immortality for humankind by defeating Hine-nui-te-pō, the goddess of death. He devised a plan to enter her body and destroy her from within, but his attempt failed when a bird laughed, waking Hine-nui-te-pō, who crushed Māui between her thighs, ensuring that death would remain a part of human existence. This story not only reinforces the inevitability of death but also serves as a cautionary tale about hubris and the limits of even the greatest heroes.
Māori mythology also contains numerous stories about taniwha, supernatural creatures that dwell in rivers, lakes, or the ocean. These beings are often depicted as guardians of particular areas, but they can also be dangerous or malevolent. Taniwha are usually associated with water, and many Māori believe that these creatures protect specific tribal territories or are guardians of certain bodies of water. Taniwha are treated with great respect, and their presence in the environment is acknowledged through rituals and offerings.
Another significant element of Māori mythology is the belief in the wairua (spirit) and the afterlife. The wairua is considered to be immortal, and after death, it returns to the spirit world. The path taken by the wairua is known as Te Ara Wairua, the Spirit’s Path, which leads to Cape Reinga at the northernmost tip of New Zealand. It is believed that the spirits of the deceased travel to this sacred place, where they descend into the underworld to be reunited with their ancestors. This belief reflects the importance of ancestry and genealogy in Māori culture, where the dead remain an integral part of the living world.
Tapu and noa are two fundamental concepts in Māori spirituality that govern the interactions between people, the gods, and the environment. Tapu refers to something that is sacred or restricted, often linked to the gods or ancestors. It can apply to places, objects, or people and requires a set of rules or rituals to be respected. Noa, on the other hand, is the state of being free from restrictions and returning to a normal state after encountering something tapu. These concepts play a vital role in the everyday lives of the Māori, shaping social norms, religious practices, and the relationship between the spiritual and physical worlds.
Māori mythology not only explains the origins of the world and its people but also serves as a framework for understanding the values and principles that guide Māori society. The atua, through their actions and stories, offer lessons on how to live in harmony with the environment and with each other. The separation of Ranginui and Papatūānuku represents the balance between sky and earth, while the roles of Tāne Mahuta, Tangaroa, and Tūmatauenga reflect the importance of maintaining balance between nature and human endeavor.
The legends of Māui and his audacious deeds teach lessons about the power of ingenuity, the dangers of overreach, and the limits of human control over life and death. Meanwhile, the stories of the taniwha and the wairua illustrate the interconnectedness of the spiritual and physical worlds and the importance of respecting the forces that govern both.