Most likely the Maori concept of deity Tiki didn't sprout in Maori culture but is derived from an Egyptian god (even more likely from another African country like Somali). This deity is commonly known as the Egyptian god Bes.
Bes was an idolized dwarf god who's functions were to protect pregnant women, children and households. He was also said to be present at births, a birthgiving protector. Bes was a funny, loving god. Ancient legends state that when a baby laughed Bes was somewhere in the chamber making funny faces.
Apart from the "new life" resemblance there are other, aesthetic, similarities between art works of Bes and carvings of the Maori god Tiki who was the creator of life.
Both gods were depicted with hands on hips or upper thighs, bow shaped legs, a round belly, a large head with an open mouth with poking tongue, big goggle shaped eyes, defiant stance, genitalia in sight.
They also both held a similar shaped weapon. In case of Bes this was resembled by the Sa hieroglyph, a weapon and symbol for protection. Tiki was sometimes shown with Maori club, a weapon called Patu or Mere. The shape of both items is very similar. (the Sa hieroglyph and symbol later developed into the Egyptian Ankh which also stands for new life and afterlife.) Apart from the resembling characteristic features of Maori Tiki carvings and Egyptian god Bes depictions there are more clues to the connection between the two.
The Egyptian creation god Ptah, who was also represented as a bow-legged dwarf or fetus, is called 'the opener and in other texts referred to as Pataikos, “the Creator of the world, the sun, and moon, out of chaos (ha), or matter (mu).” Again a resemblance with the Maori Tiki who created the first man after his image and then the first woman out of chaos.
