Kites may have originated in the South Sea Islands, where people used them to fish. In China, kites lifted people for military purposes. The Maori people of New Zealand used kites to celebrate their belief that birds could carry messages between people and the gods. Their god Rehua is depicted as a bird, and is considered to be the ancestor of all kites. As part of your exploration of Maori culture, make this kite, which can be flown.