He Paki Taonga i a Māui

He Paki Taonga i a Māui is a series of 18 short films for tamariki aged 7-11, and tells stories about taonga in Te Papa’s collection.

In te reo Māori – English subtitles are available.

Ko Hūria me te Kaipuke | Hūria and the Shipwreck

A young woman helps save shipwrecked sailors from almost certain death.

Melanie McGregor and Ngāti Koata do not support this version of the story. They have their own version that places their tupuna Hohāpata Te Kahupuku at its centre.

Ko Tāne me ngā Kete o te Wānanga | Tāne and the Kete of Knowledge

Tāne races his jealous brother to the heavens to bring back three precious kete.

An illustration of a soldier crawling through battle

Ko te Whakatau Nui a Willie Apiata | Willie Apiata and the Tough Decision

In the heat of battle, a courageous soldier risks his life to save a comrade

Te Whawhai i te Repo | The Battle in the Swamp

During a fierce battle between Māori and Pākehā, two warriors fight to the death.

Kua Mau i te Hau Tonga | Seized by the Cold South Wind

Two sisters send fire to save their brother from freezing to death on Tongariro.

Te Paea me te Waka Wairua | Te Paea and the Ghost Waka

A ghostly waka is seen before Tarawera explodes and destroys the Pink and White Terraces.

Ko te Pakanga a ngā Manu | Battle of the Birds

Seabirds and land birds battle over tasty kai! Who will win?

Ko Tarakiuta rāua ko Tarakitai | The Tale of Tarakiuta and Tarakitai

Jealousy and greed spark murder and revenge in this tale with a twist.

Ko Hēni me te Pakanga ki Pukehinahina | Hēni and the Battle of Gate Pā

After a famous battle, a young woman shows great compassion to her enemies.

Te Ngarohanga o ngā Parirau o te Kiwi | How the Kiwi Lost Its Wings

Tāne asks Kiwi to help save the forest – but it comes at a great price.

Ko Hinemoa rāua ko Tūtānekai | Hinemoa and Tūtānekai

A young woman defies her family to be with the man she loves.

Ko te Kaipuke Karihi-kore | The Rainbow Warrior

Protecting the Pacific from harm ends in tragedy at the hands of French terrorists.

Ko te Kaitaka Whakaora o Ruhia | Ruhia’s Life Saving Cloak

A young boy’s life is unexpectedly saved by a chief’s daughter and her kaitaka.

Ko Māui me te Ika Nunui | Māui and the Big Catch

Māui uses a magical jawbone to hook a massive fish like no other.

Ko Rata me ngā Tamariki a Tāne | Rata and the Children of Tane

Rata learns a valuable lesson about taking care of the environment.

Te Tūtakinga Kino o te Tau 1769 | The Deadly Encounter of 1769

Life in Tūranganui changes forever after a deadly encounter with strange visitors.

Te Kauranga Nui a Kahe | Kahe’s Epic Swim

With her daughter on her back, a young woman swims through the night to warn her whānau of great danger.

Ko Kupe me te Wheke Nunui | Kupe and the Giant Wheke

Kupe hunts a hungry wheke all over the Pacific and discovers Aotearoa.

Explore the taonga on Collections Online

The taonga featured in He Paki Taonga i a Māui are part of our collections. Explore them in more detail here.

About the artists of He Paki Taonga i a Māui

Hear from the artists behind the animations in each episode.

He Paki Taonga i a Māui_David Brechin-Smith

He Paki Taonga i a Māui: He Putanga Kōrero Mai i Te Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa

Join Māui as he shares stories for tamariki based on taonga from the Te Papa collection

Māui’s Taonga Tales: A Treasury of Stories from Aotearoa and the Pacific

Join Māui as he shares stories for tamariki based on taonga from the Te Papa collection

He Paki Taonga i a Māui | Māui's Taonga Tales: interview with the editors

David Brechin-Smith and Ranea Aperahama, co-developers of He Paki Taonga i a Māui, discuss their work with Te Papa Press