Images:

• Hook: Traditional fishing hook
• Jaw bone: Maui’s grandmothers magic jawbone
• Waka: Fishing canoe
• Kowhaiwhai (Maori rafter panel design): Patiki/flounder – which represents hospitality. (The fish Maui is said to have caught was either a flounder or a stingray).

Stamp design:

Based on the 1920 1d Map Stamp Cowan Paper unh mint

Myth:

Maui’s brothers were to set off on a fishing expedition in the morning but refused to take Maui. He turned himself into a small animal and hid beneath the floorboards. He drew out his hook which he had fashioned from his grand mothers jawbone. For bait he used his own blood and he chanted a karakia as he lowered the hook. It sank quickly and fastened itself to Tonganui, grandson of Tangaroa, God of the ocean. Maui hauled up his catch which became known as ‘Te Ika a Maui’

Place Names:

The North Island being the fish of Maui, where place names refer to fish. The South Island was his canoe and has the stern, prow and seat marked.