In Māori tradition, Māhuhu-ki-te-rangi (also known as Māhuhu) was one of the great ocean-going, voyaging canoes that was used in the migrations that settled New Zealand.
[3] Rongomai was drowned when the canoe overturned after visiting the island and his body was eaten by the araara or trevally fish.
Because of this incident, the Ngā Puhi and Te Rarawa iwi who claim descent from Rongomai, did not dare to eat the trevally in the times before they embraced Christianity.
The tradition then tells of Māhuhu heading back north to Rangaunu Harbour[3] where the crew eventually settled.
[2] As part of the 1990 commemorations of the 1840 signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, Ngāti Whātua made a large waka which also bears the name Māhuhu-ki-te-rangi or Māhuhu-o-te-rangi.