Their traditional history describes their origins in terms of waves of migration that culminated in the arrival of a “great fleet” in the 14th century from Hawaiki, a mythical land usually identified as Tahiti.
All believed in and feared the taniwha (or water demons), and the demons of the woods and mountains; indeed the bravest warrior would not have walked at night over the most familiar road without a lighted brand in his hand to keep away malevolent spirits
‘Haere mai, ngā manuhiri tūārangi (welcome, strangers from afar)!’ The colourful and distinctive manner in which Māori greet visitors is the custom which usually makes the first and strongest impression on non-Māori.
Paua eyes were used because they reflected the light at night, which made the carvings more life like, and people felt they were being looked over when they slept at night.
