Maru is a MÃÂori war god, especially well known in southern New Zealand, where he replaces Tà «matauenga (commonly shortened to Tà «), the war god of the rest of New Zealand. In the Hawaiian Islands he is an evil and restless god who has no time to grow his own food and nonetheless rewards his priests' services.
Maru is the son of Rangihore (god of rocks and stones) and the grandson of MÃÂui. Maru's image was brought to New Zealand by Manaia's daughter Haungaroa.
He was also known as the god of wai maori (fresh water) like streams and rivers.