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Kōrero: Northland places

Roadside Stories: Kupe in the Hokianga

Hokianga Harbour was the departure point of legendary Māori navigator Kupe when he returned to his homeland of Hawaiki. Kupe is said to have left behind two taniwha (water spirits), which guided the safe landing of later Polynesian arrivals.

Roadside Stories is a series of audio guides to places around New Zealand.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

YouTube: Manatu Taonga's channel

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Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Claudia Orange, Northland places – Hokianga district, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/interactive/45051/roadside-stories-kupe-in-the-hokianga (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Claudia Orange, i tāngia i te 30 April 2014, updated 1 May 2015.