The Canoes

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The old Maori Canoes that were used to travel between islands in the area and to explore new lands up until the late 19th Century, were called Kurahaupó, after the first tribe to build them.

There are many legends associated with the canoes in New Zealand mytology. The people of New Zealand made thin and light boats to move quickly between islands. They needed strong men to board these canoes in order to keep the boats stable in case of storms and emergensies. The men that would have piloted the boats had to build themselves up in order to complete such a task. The rowers trained for moths and years building themselves up for the boats. They also had to build themselves for war as these were traditionally war canoes and there were lots of rivalries.

The Canoes themselves would have traditionally made out of birch bark, and eat tribe would have special craftsmen to make such boats.

One legend about canoes is about the first ever canoe. It states that one day whilst an old maori man was walking on a beach, we saw lots of sweet potatoes floating on the water, he quickly swam out to them and brought tem in. To his suprise he found that a single strip of birch bark had kept them afloat, the old man then spent the day crafting the piece into a piece that could support two men. He then revealed it to his tribe leader who exclaimed that it was a masterpiece.