DAY 1: In the Beginning...



Activity 1: The Legend of New Zealand
[4 points]

According to Māori mythology, much of Aotearoa
New Zealand
was formed
when Māui, a powerful demigod, fished it out
of the sea.
Legend has it that Māui
created a magical fish hook from the jawbone
of his
grandmother and that one day he took his hook,
boarded a
boat, and rode out into
the middle of
the Pacific Ocean. Once at sea, he threw his magical hook into the water and caught a fish. This ‘fish’ was
actually the North Island of New Zealand! In honour of this legend, the
North Island of New Zealand is sometimes referred to as Te Ika a Māui or
‘Māui’s fish’ and the South Island of New Zealand is sometimes referred to as Te
Waka a Māui or ‘Māui’s canoe’.
To learn more cool facts about New Zealand, check out the Tourism

NZ website. Read the fun facts posted on the website and choose your ‘Top 3.’
On your blog, post your ‘Top 3 Fun Facts’ about NZ.



  •  New Zealand is one of the world’s least populated countries with 
over 4 million populations.
  • The Auckland City Sky Tower is the tallest 
freestanding structure in the Southern Hemisphere at 328 meters high.
  • . To become a New Zealand citizen, 
you must swear an oath of loyalty to Queen Elizabeth.