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Story: Northland places

Roadside Stories: Kupe in the Hokianga

Hokianga Harbour was the departure point of legendary Māori navigator Kupe when he returned to his homeland of Hawaiki. Kupe is said to have left behind two taniwha (water spirits), which guided the safe landing of later Polynesian arrivals.

Roadside Stories is a series of audio guides to places around New Zealand.

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How to cite this page

Claudia Orange, Northland places – Hokianga district, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/interactive/45051/roadside-stories-kupe-in-the-hokianga (accessed 10 June 2026).

Story by Claudia Orange, published 30 April 2014, updated 1 May 2015.