Hei Matau Meaning
The legend of Maui and the magic fish hook

The creation of the fish hook shaped pendants finds its origin in an old Maori legend:

The legend of Maui and the magic fish hook or Te Ika a Maui (The fish of Maui).The essence of this legend is that New Zealand's North Island once was a giant fish which was caught by the half god and legendary seafarer Maui using a woven line and his magic bone fish hook.A look on the map still shows how the shape of the Hawke Bay's coastline resembles a fish hook. More about this legend.For the Maori, the hei matau is a cultural treasure (taonga). It also represents their land and their connection to the sea, the importance of fishing and their relationship to Tangaroa, God of the sea.

This legend and hundreds more were passed down by "Story tellers" for centuries. The Maori, in the beginning, didn't have a written language.