Ports of Call: Legend of Maui in New Zealand
About this episode
This episode explores the legend of Māui and his adventures in New Zealand, blending folklore with early radio storytelling.
This episode of Old Time Radio Snack Wagon revisits a charming story from the 1930s inspired by Māui, the legendary Polynesian demigod whose adventures appear in the oral traditions of New Zealand, Hawaiʻi, Samoa, Tonga, and other Pacific cultures. Adapted from the travel series Ports of Call, the broadcast tells one of Māui’s best-known exploits: the tale of how the North Island of New Zealand was pulled from the sea. Blending folklore with the travelogue style popular during radio’s early years, the program introduces listeners to Māori tradition through a lively dramatization of Māui’s wit, confidence, and extraordinary feats. While versions of the legend differ across Polynesian cultures, the story remains one of the region’s most enduring and beloved myths. As modern audiences rediscover Māui through contemporary film and popular culture, this broadcast offers a fascinating glimpse at how American radio introduced listeners to Polynesian storytelling nearly a century ago. Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net Become a supporter of this podcast…
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