Kupe to Cook

It was Robin’s turn to organise an outing with our Super Leisure Group of friends.  We had arranged to meet in a car park, unbeknown to us our car was parked in one area and our friends cars  were in another.  Where were they, both sides were wondering.  We needed a coffee and a catch up to start our day and then went to see the exhibition “Kupe to Cook” at Pataka Museum, Porirua.  This exhibition marks 250 years since Captain Cook arrived in New Zealand, and also tells of the earlier voyages to our country, the Maori, Polynesian and European navigators.

The story goes that Kupe discovered New Zealand in about 750 AD.  Kupe desired Kura, and murdered her husband  Hoturapa.  To escape punishment for the murder, Kupe and Kura fled from Hawaiki in a double hulled ocean-going canoe and discovered New Zealand, a land he called Aotearoa ('long-white-cloud'). He explored its coast and killed the sea monster Te Wheke-a-Muturangi, finally returning to his home to spread news of his newly discovered land.  On display was Kupe’s anchor stone.  The stone came from Eastern Polynesia and was left in Porirua over 1000 years ago by Kupe, the great oceanic explorer and navigator.

Finally, in 1350 AD a ‘great fleet’ of seven canoes – all departed from Hawaiki at the same time, bringing the people now known as Māori to New Zealand. These were advanced, warlike, agricultural tribes and they settled in various regions of New Zealand.  In Polynesian mythology, Hawaiki is the original home of the Polynesians, before dispersal across Polynesia.

The arrival of Captain Cook 250 years ago and the resulting influx of European settlers greatly changed the lives of the Maori population.  This painting by Michel Tuffery shows young Nick together with Taiato, a boy from Tahiti who sailed on Capt. James Cook's Endeavour arriving in Aotearoa, two boys from quite different backgrounds.

Young Nick and Taiato

Before the European whalers arrived, Maori did not hunt whales, but stranded whales were welcomed as gifts from the sea.  Whale meat was a rich source of protein, whale bone was fashioned into weapons, and the oil was used for polish and scent.

Gift from the sea

Two mere (clubs) made with whale bone and greenstone

There were many items of interest to see, Maori carvings, woven cloaks, greenstone items, paintings, and several films – a welcome chance to sit a while.  I’m sure we all discovered things we didn’t know before.

Lunch was at Denny’s,  an American family style restaurant  founded in Lakewood, California in 1953.  Denny’s opened its doors in New Zealand in 1988 in Manukau City Auckland. Today, there are currently 7 stores in New Zealand with the Porirua store opening in 2005.  With an extensive menu, we all took some time deciding what to order.  The staff were very attentive and helpful, delivering our meals in a timely fashion, and taking a photo of our group with a smile. 

Robin, Helen, Jenny, Calvin, Ashley and Yvonne

Cold drinks for Robin and Helen

After a long leisurely lunch we looked around the restaurant and discovered that our group was probably the last to leave after our meal – it was time to get going and head for home.  Another interesting SLG outing with our friends, a little culture, a meal out, and plenty of convivial chatter.