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Story: Octopus and squid

Kupe fighting Te Wheke-o-Muturangi

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Kupe fighting Te Wheke-o-Muturangi

Cliff Whiting’s illustration depicts the traditional story of Kupe slaying the wheke (octopus), which he pursued across the Pacific Ocean.

Using this item

New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa

by Cliff Whiting

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How to cite this page

Maggy Wassilieff and Steve O’Shea, Octopus and squid – Octopus in New Zealand, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/7930/kupe-fighting-te-wheke-o-muturangi (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Maggy Wassilieff and Steve O’Shea, published 2 March 2009.