Māui Tinei Ahi is an ancestor who achieved a number of remarkable things in his life—from fishing up lands, to slowing the sun, to sourcing fire, and much more. The fire pūrākau details Māui’s interaction with his great aunt, the Atua of Fire, Hinemahuika. It tells the narrative of Māui sourcing fire for humankind. While this pūrākau is well-known in Aotearoa New Zealand (and in other islands of Te Moananui a Kiwa), various kurahuna are often overlooked. Based on the author’s PhD thesis, this article provides an original retelling of part of the fire pūrākau.

A book review by Te Kupua O’Connor of Mātauranga Māori, written by Hirini Moko Mead (2025).