Volcano Legends of New Zealand Rachel Robinson, 2006 New Zealand has been occupied by a group of Polynesians, known as the Maoris, since about the fourteenth century (Anderson, 1969). Since this time, the Maoris have created myths and legends involving several volcanoes in their native land. Taupo, Tongariro and Maui the Fisherman One of these legends tells of a man named Maui who, one day, went fishing with his brothers. Maui used a jawbone as a hook and some flax soaked in blood as bait.