Maui: Stories of Courage and Cleverness

Māui is one of the most well-known and beloved figures in Māori pūrākau, celebrated as a clever, courageous, and determined ancestor whose deeds helped shape Aotearoa and the lives of its people. Through his many adventures, Māui changed the world — slowing the sun so there would be enough daylight for people to work and live, fishing up Te Ika-a-Māui (the North Island), discovering the secret of fire and bringing warmth and cooking to humankind, gaining his grandfather Murirangawhenua’s magical jawbone as a powerful tool, and bravely challenging the gates of death in his quest to overcome mortality.

Māui’s stories are more than heroic feats; they carry important teachings about perseverance, curiosity, problem-solving, courage, and using intelligence as much as strength. These teachings are brought to life through a range of Māui-inspired learning resources, including dress-up capes, large floor puzzles, and A4 image tray puzzles.

Designed for classrooms, kōhanga, early learning centres, and home environments, these resources provide engaging, age-appropriate pathways for tamariki to connect with te ao Māori, strengthen cultural identity, and build a deeper understanding of the stories that shape Aotearoa.