Story: History

Polynesian carved dog

Polynesian carved dog

The East Polynesians who settled New Zealand brought with them the Polynesian dog (kurī) and rat (kiore). But the Polynesian hen and pig did not make it to New Zealand. This representation of a dog – one of the oldest artefacts ever found in New Zealand – was discovered in a cave at Redcliffs, near Christchurch. The cave was used by some of the first Polynesians to settle in New Zealand.

Using this item

Canterbury Museum
Reference: E158.356

Permission of Canterbury Museum, Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch, New Zealand must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

John Wilson, 'History - Māori arrival and settlement', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/1450/polynesian-carved-dog (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by John Wilson, updated 1 Apr 2020