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Story: Muriwhenua tribes

Kapowairua (Spirits Bay)

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Kapowairua

Tōhē lived here at Kapowairua – so named because when Tōhē was about to set off to visit his daughter, he told his people that in the event of his death they should grasp (kapo) his spirit (wairua).

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GNS Science

Reference: 9062/38

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, Muriwhenua tribes – Ancestors, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/2374/kapowairua-spirits-bay (accessed 10 June 2026).

Story by Rāwiri Taonui, published 4 March 2009, updated 22 March 2017.