Rangi and Papa: The Sky-Father and Earth-Mother Torn Apart
An ancient Maori myth of creation and separation, where Rangi and Papa's love forged the world and their children shaped the sky and land.
Top New Zealand Stories on GatherTales
New Zealand's folklore is a vibrant mix of Māori legends and European settler tales, reflecting the country's unique cultural heritage. One of the most famous figures in Māori mythology is "Māui," a demigod known for his cleverness and bravery, who is credited with fishing up the North Island of New Zealand from the ocean and capturing the sun to slow its journey across the sky. Another central figure in Māori folklore is "Tāne Mahuta," the god of the forests and birds, who is said to have separated his parents, Ranginui (the sky) and Papatūānuku (the earth), creating the world as we know it. New Zealand literature also features characters like "A. P. Gaskell's Swaggers," who embody the rugged spirit of the early settlers, and "Keri Hulme's Simon," a boy with a mysterious past in the Booker Prize-winning novel "The Bone People." These stories, rich in symbolism and deeply connected to the land, continue to be a vital part of New Zealand's cultural identity.
Paikea the Whale Rider
The Ancient Maori Legend of a Brave Ancestor Who Rode a Whale Across the Ocean
Kupe and the Giant Wheke
A fearless Maori navigator confronts the monstrous octopus in a battle for his people’s future
Ngake and Whataitai: The Taniwha Twins Who Shaped Wellington Harbour
An immersive Maori legend of twin taniwha whose epic journey carved the waterways and forged Wellington Harbour's shape.
The Doll's House
A haunting New Zealand story of childhood cruelty and class divides under open skies
Bliss
A woman’s fleeting moment of intense happiness in Wellington’s rain and her journey through unexpected disillusionment
The Legend of Rata
How a Young Man Forged a Vessel with the Forest Spirits
How Maui Slowed the Sun
A timeless legend of Maui’s audacious plan to slow the sun and gift longer days to New Zealand’s people.
The Garden Party Awakening
A young woman’s eye-opening journey at a summer gathering in suburban New Zealand
The Story of the Pouakai
A thrilling Māori legend of courage, unity, and the battle against an ancient beast
The Legend of the Kurangaituku
A hunter's courage meets the wild heart of a bird-woman, revealing a tale of love and destiny.
The Legend of the Moa
A powerful Māori legend of nature, balance, and redemption.
The Tale of the Haka
Explore the origins and legacy of New Zealand's powerful Māori haka.
The Story of the Taniwha
A legend of a taniwha's wrath and the volcanic eruption that reshaped a village's fate.
The Legend of Maui and the Sun
Maui’s daring quest to capture the sun and restore balance to the world.
Māori legend of Māui and the giant fish
Māui's daring feat to raise the North Island from the ocean depths.