An exhibition developed by Te Papa that celebrates a great Polynesian voyager's connections with New Zealand.
Kupe is regarded by many iwi (tribes) as the ancestor who discovered this country. Kupe Sites, a touring exhibition from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, explores the stories of Kupe's encounter with New Zealand through names of various landmarks and places and even the name Aotearoa.
Some iwi tell the story of Kupe setting out from his homeland Hawaiki in pursuit of Te Wheke-a-Muturangi, a giant octopus. Others recount how Kupe, in love with his nephew's wife, took her husband fishing, left him out at sea to drown, then fled from the family’s vengeance.
Whether he was the pursuer or the pursued, Kupe and his stories are of immense importance to the many iwi who trace their whakapapa (genealogy) back through him. While the stories vary, they all celebrate a remarkable voyager who settled a new land and charted a route through the Pacific for later navigators to follow.
Kupe Sites presents these stories through photographs of places and video recordings of kuia and kaumatua from four areas that have strong traditions of links to Kupe - Northland, Wairarapa, the Wellington region, and the top of the South Island. Te Papa researchers, along with photographer Michael Hall, visited the four areas and worked with iwi there to record the stories.
Kupe Sites offers visitors a unique encounter with New Zealand’s past and reveals the significance of landscape and memory in portraying a key figure in the country’s history.
See below for some great related events.
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When |
1 March - 17 November, 9am-5pm daily |
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Where |
Voyager NZ Maritime Museum, Quay Street, Viaduct Harbour, central Auckland |
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Cost |
Free for Auckland residents with proof of address
Check the workshops below - a small fee may apply |
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Contact |
Email Voyager or call 09 373 0800 |
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Website |
Voyager Maritime Museum website |
Related events: Landmark Series - Nga Taunga Waka
Through the Lens of Colin Gans (underwater and ariel photographer)
Sunday 19 May, 1.30pm-2.30pm | $5 per person
Travel above and below the water for a new perspective on landmark photography.
Through the Lens of Michael Hall (photographer of Kupe Sites)
Thursday 6 June, 7.30pm-8.30pm | Free
Join us behind the scenes of Kupe Sites for a discussion around black and white landscape photography.
Kids and Cameras
Sunday 9 June, 10am-3pm | Free
Make it click at Voyager, as you take part in all types of photography activities.
Through the Lens of Peter Young (documentary filmmaker)
Sunday 30 June, 1.30pm-2.30pm | $5 per person
Join leading documentary filmmaker Peter Young for a discussion around his practice, including a look into his well-known works Coasters and The Last Ocean.