In Mangarevan mythology this figure has eight avatars, including a heroic one Matavaru, the last.  
In Mangarevan mythology this figure has eight avatars, including a heroic one Matavaru, the last.  According to Maori myth, he was born premature so his mother wrapped him in her hair and threw him to the oceans where he was found and nursed to health by his divine ancestor Rangi. According to legend New Zealand's North Island was a fish he hauled from the depths, but his brother's cut up creating the mountains and valleys and the South Island was his canoe. Many Polynesian mythologies have stories of him beating the sun into submission so it will go slower and therefore there will be longer days. For 10 points, name this Polynesian trickster god and namesake of the second largest Hawaii Island.
In Mangarevan mythology this figure has eight avatars, including a heroic one Matavaru, the last.  
Māui