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Kōrero: Acclimatisation

Taputini kūmara

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Taputini kūmara

The Polynesian ancestors of Māori introduced a number of crops to New Zealand, but kūmara (sweet potato) was the most successful, flourishing in northern coastal areas. Kūmara came originally from South America and was being grown and eaten in the Cook Islands by 1000 CE. Taputini is thought to be an early variety cultivated by Māori – the large tubers sold today were introduced later by Europeans.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand - Kuratini Tuwhera

by Graham Harris

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Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Carl Walrond, Acclimatisation – Improving upon nature, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/17454/taputini-kumara (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Carl Walrond, i tāngia i te 1 March 2009.