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Story: Kurī – Polynesian dogs

Carved kurī

Image
Carved kurī

One of the oldest artefacts discovered in New Zealand is this carved wooden dog. It was found in Monck’s Cave, on Banks Peninsula.

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.

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How to cite this page

Basil Keane, Kurī – Polynesian dogs – What is the kurī?, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/16221/carved-kuri (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Basil Keane, published 1 March 2009.