In the beginning was Te Kore, the void, followed by Te Pō, the night. From this darkness emerged Rangi, the sky father, and Papa, the earth mother.

Rangi and Papa embraced in darkness, until their children pushed them apart to create space for light and life between sky and earth.

Māui, the great trickster hero, fished up islands from the sea and slowed the sun to create longer days for humanity.

Tangaroa, lord of the seas, filled the oceans with fish and sea creatures, while Tāne created forests and birds to populate the land.