What is "mataatua"

In Māori tradition, Mātaatua was one of the great voyaging canoes by which Polynesians migrated to New Zealand. Māori traditions say that the Mātaatua was initially sent from Hawaiki to bring supplies of kūmara to Māori settlements in New Zealand. The Mātaatua was captained by Toroa, accompanied by his brother, Puhi; his sister, Muriwai; his son, Ruaihona; and daughter, Wairaka.