Where to find more myths and legends

Several websites and a number of books retell traditional Māori myths and legends. Here are a few to help get you started.

Web resources

• The legend of the creation 
  An adapted story of the separation of Ranginui, the Sky Father, and Papatūānuku, the Earth Mother.

• Te Kete Ipurangi website
  Traditional myths and legends as well as contemporary stories with themes relevant to today.


• History New Zealand website
  Adaptations of myths about Māui, Kupe, creation and Rahi.


• Maori.org website
  Kōrero pūrākau including Pania of the reef, Hatupatu and Kurangaituku and the story of the kūmara.


• Reo store website - Te Aho Matua series
  A package of three CDs with Māori language stories about Ranginui, Papatūānuku and their children.


• Reo store website - Te Ahi Tāmou Series
  A series of six Māori language stories on two DVDs.

Books

• Bishop, G, 'Taming the Sun: Four Māori Myths', Random House, 2004.
  Contains four stories, including Māui and the Sun, Māui and the Big Fish, Rona and the Moon, and Kahu the Taniwha.
• Orbell, M, 'The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Māori Myth and Legend', Canterbury University Press, 1995.
  A detailed guide to Māori myths and legends, religious beliefs, folklore and history, with more than 380 entries. 
• Sullivan, R, 'Weaving Earth and Sky: Myths and Legends of Aotearoa', Random House, 2002.
  An anthology of the story of creation, Māui tales, Tawhaki and Rata and Kupe's voyage to Aotearoa.
• Winitana, C, 'Legends of Aotearoa', HarperCollins, 2001.
  Fourteen Māori stories rooted in iwi oral tradition, and telling stories of the natural landforms of regions of Aotearoa.

Other resources

• Check out your local library for local stories and kōrero pūrākau.
• Utilise your whānau and community networks to find local storytellers who can contribute to your kōrero pūrākau workshops.