The Maoris in the South Sea Islands were among the first to fly kites. They used to tie bait to the tails of kites and use them to catch fish. To them, kite-flying was sacred, perhaps a way to communicate with the gods. Sometimes they chanted as they launched the kite into the air:

My bird, by power of charm ascending,
In the glance of an eye, like the sparrow hawk,
By this charm shall my bird arise,
My bird bestride the heavens.
Beyond the swirling waters,
Like the stars Atutahi and Rehua,
and there spread out thy wings,
To the very clouds. Truly so.