Hand Carved Maori Fish Hook (Hei Matua)

The fish-hook shape of the hei matau means to know, which holds that the North Island of New Zealand was once a huge fish that was caught by the great mariner Māui using only a woven line and a hook made from the jawbone of his grandmother.Legend holds that the shape of Hawks Bay is that of the hei matau, which caught in the fish's side on the beach. The Māori name for the North island, Te Ika a Māui ("The fish of Māui") reflects this legend.

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.