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Story: Canoe traditions

Southern lakes

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Southern lakes

As he journeyed down the South Island, the legendary explorer Rākaihautū created the major southern lakes with his kō (digging stick). Shown here is Lake Hāwea, with Lake Wānaka above.

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GNS Science

Reference: 38294/2

by Lloyd Homer

Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Rāwiri Taonui, Canoe traditions – Canoes of the South Island, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/2372/southern-lakes (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Rāwiri Taonui, published 4 March 2009.