Perhaps the greatest message that can be derived from the many stories of Māui is reflected in his very name ‘Māui’, ‘Mā-ui’ means ‘for questioning’. Māui’s purpose was to question the flow, velocity, and current of life – seeking answers. Ngahiwi Tomoana explains; “keep evolving, be innovative, be inquisitive, keep searching for knowledge, keep searching for new relationships, keep searching for new ways to support humanity”.

‘Māui Pōtiki’ has dual meanings. It refers to Māui’s survival from still-birth and search for eternal life, te tiki mai te pō, to be fetched from darkness and cheat death. ‘Pōtiki’ also refers to Māui being the youngest child, the pōtiki. The Pōtiki spirit is about unrelenting curiosity, ingenuity, innovation and adventure in the pursuit of life.

Māui’s fishing story centres around him seeking to prove his worthiness based on his ability to provide for others. ‘Manaaki’ refers to uplifting the mana of others through acts of respect, generosity and hospitality, in doing so elevating your own mana in return. It’s about sharing your best with others and erring on the side of generosity to foster reciprocity.

Tikanga is about doing what’s right, ‘tika’. Often seen as a disruptor, defying convention, Māui always seeks to do what’s right. Upon landing his great fish Māui instructs his uncle and brothers not to carve it up until he returns with the right karakia, incantation, to perform the correct rituals and give thanks for the fish. They ignore his instructions and his uncle is turned to stone, reminding us to do what is tika.

Māui might appear to be an ‘alpha male’, but his stories remind us of the power and prestige of women, mana wahine, such as the sacrifice made by his mother Taranga in wrapping his still-born body in the top-knot of her hair, with help and guidance from his grand-mother Murirangawhenua – the principle holder of customary knowledge in his family. Ultimately, Māui meets his fate when he tries to cheat death by entering Hine-nui-te-pō, the mother of darkness, who crushes him when she’s alerted to his trickery. Stories of Māui speak to the power of both men and women, demonstrating balance and interdependence.