PREFACE. 
In presenting Te Ika a Maui to the Public, it will 
be necessary to commence with saying, that this was 
formerly the only name which the Natives had for the 
Island, and that it is nearly identical with that which 
Cook first received; being literally Ti-ie Fish of Maui, 
the Maori creator, who first drew up this second Britain 
“ from out the azure main.” 
The name of New Zealand has succeeded it; and 
it seems a pity that so noble an appendage of the 
British Crown, which has been gained, not by the 
power of our arms, but by the voluntary consent of 
its inhabitants, solely through the influence of the 
Gospel, should still retain so unmeaning a name, 
which was not even given by the first discoverer. 
The good taste of the present age has re-named the 
neighbouring Continent and its attendant Isle. Van 
