1) Maui was a Maori with magic powers who was better at everything than his jealous brothers. 2) Maui hid in his brothers' canoe when they went fishing without him, surprising them when he sprang out of hiding. 3) Using a magic jawbone for a fish hook, Maui caught something huge - not a fish, but an entire land, which is how New Zealand's North and South Islands came to be shaped like a fish and canoe.

1. By the year 3 & Year 4 children of Room 13, 14, 15, 16, & 17. Akoranga’s Tangram Story

2. Based on the Maori Legend, “Maui and the big fish” How New Zealand was made

3. Maui was a Maori who had magic powers. He was good at everything. He had 4 brothers, and they were jealous of him, because he was better than them. They planned to go fishing early in the morning without him.

4. The next morning Maui hid inside his brothers’ canoe.

5. His brothers laughed as they left… Little knowing that Maui was going with them.

6. They paddled out until they found a good place to fish… Then suddenly Maui sprang out from his hiding place!

7. This fishing spot was not good enough for Maui, so he ordered his brothers to paddle out further!

8. They paddled past lots of sea creatures…

9. They finally got to a place that Maui wanted to fish! He used a magic jawbone as a fish hook, to catch fish.

10. Maui hooked onto something big. He thought he was landing a fish, but really he was fishing a land!

11. And that’s why New Zealand’s North Island looks like a giant fish and the South Island looks like a canoe.