Wolfkamp & Stone Enamel Mug - Kupe & Te Wheke

That people discovered NZ in small boats, guided only by the stars and ocean currents, is astonishing enough, but the story of it accidentally being discovered while chasing an evil giant octopus is far more fun.

This new enamel mug by Wolfkamp & Stone illustrates the story of Kupe and the giant Octopus Te Wheke-O-Muturangi;

from Te Wheke stealing all the fish in Hawaiiki to Kupe chasing it to Aotearoa... according to legend the Marlborough sounds were created by the final battle.

Enamel mug with a black rim & coloured decals.

Dishwasher safe

Not suitable for microwave.

Size: 90mm diameter x 80mm high

Kupe was a leader, navigator, and fisherman who lived in the Māori homeland of Hawaiki.

One day he noticed their fishing nets had been damaged and the bait eaten from their hooks.

Kupe confronted a rival chief, Muturangi, about his giant pet octopus stealing their catch.

Muturangi rebuffed Kupe, who vowed to kill the creature. Kupe and his crew chased the octopus across the Pacific ocean.

Kupe’s wife Hine-te-aparangi, saw a white cloud which indicated land.

This inspired Kupe to name the land Ao-tea-roa (Land of the long white cloud).

Kupe confronted the great octopus at Te Moana o Raukawa (Cook Strait) where, after a long battle, he and his crew were victorious, killing Te Wheke o Muturangi.

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