Story: Marlborough places

Roadside Stories: Kupe and Cook in the Sounds

In Māori tradition, the drowned river valleys of the Marlborough Sounds were explored by the legendary Polynesian navigator Kupe in his pursuit of a giant octopus. Many place names in the area relate to Kupe. British navigator James Cook also explored the Sounds, resting and reprovisioning his crew at Ship Cove. Whaling stations were later established.

Listen to a Roadside Story about Kupe and Cook in the Sounds. Roadside Stories is a series of audio guides to places around New Zealand.

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Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number TCDR1071).

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How to cite this page:

Malcolm McKinnon, 'Marlborough places - Outer Sounds', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/interactive/35327/roadside-stories-kupe-and-cook-in-the-sounds (accessed 21 April 2024)

Story by Malcolm McKinnon, updated 18 Jun 2015