Hei Matau (Fish Hook)

Hei Matau (Fish Hook)

The fish-hook shape of the hei matau finds its origins in Māori legend, which holds that the North Island of New Zealand was once a huge fish that was caught by the great mariner Maui using only a woven line and a hook made from the jawbone of his mother. Legend holds that the shape of Hawkes Bay is that of the hei matau, which caught in the fish's side on the beach.

For the Māori, the hei matau is taonga (a cultural treasure). It represents not only their land, but also prosperity, fertility and safe passage over water. They also denote the importance of fishing to Māori, and their relationship to Tangaroa god of the sea.