Kupe and modern voyaging
In this activity, students read a legend of Kupe. They compare this with modern-day voyaging without navigational instruments to work out what might have happened during the Polynesian migration.
Kupe slaying Te Wheke-o-Muturangi
Cliff Whiting’s illustration depicts Kupe slaying Te Wheke-o-Muturangi (the octopus of Muturangi), which he pursued across the Pacific Ocean to Aotearoa.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
explain who Kupe was and where he was touted to have travelled
briefly describe the voyage of the Waka Tapu
explain how and why legends such as Kupe may be based on actual events.
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
introduction/background notes
what you need
what to do
the voyaging story of Kupe.
Related content
Expert navigator Jack Thatcher describes his waka hourua voyage from New Zealand to Rapanui (Easter Island) and back. Jack and his crew used traditional techniques to navigate the Waka Tapu. Traditional wayfinding involves observing and understanding nature.
In the Connected article Whakaotirangi and her kete of kūmara, learn how Tainui ancestor Whakaotirangi first brought kūmara and other plants to Aotearoa
Useful link
The voyaging story of Kupe that accompanies this activity is condensed from a version translated by S Percy Smith. The full version can be found here, there are also other versions online.
