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Story: Kurī – Polynesian dogs

Dogskin cloak

Image
Dogskin cloak

Because it took a great deal of labour to produce a dogskin cloak (kahu kurī), these garments were highly prized, and worn by rangatira (chiefs).

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Reference: MA_I047091

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Basil Keane, Kurī – Polynesian dogs – Uses of kurī, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/16237/dogskin-cloak (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Basil Keane, published 1 March 2009.