Wellington Harbour, officially called Wellington Harbour / Port Nicholson, is a large natural harbour on the southern tip of New Zealand's North Island. The harbour entrance is from Cook Strait. Centr
Looking north-east over Wellington Harbour from above Cook Strait Left to right: Lambton Harbour, Miramar Peninsula and the harbour entrance
Lambton Harbour, Port Nicholson, Wellington, New Zealand, ca. 1840
Ferry Kaitaki in the harbour
Kupe was a Polynesian explorer who, according to Māori history, was the first person to discover New Zealand. He is generally held to have been born to a father from Rarotonga and a mother from Raʻiāt
Wellington Harbour
…the hills immediately below it is named Hataitai. According to Māori oral history, Wellington Harbour was first discovered by the legendary explorer Kupe, who is said to have visited in the 10th century. A number of place names in the area commemorate Kupe, such as Te Tangihanga o Kupe or Te Raranga o…
Detail of Kupe and his wife Kūrāmarotini from the statue on the Wellington waterfront
Stephenson Percy Smith, 1905
House carving showing Kupe (holding a paddle), with two sea creatures at his feet
Motukiore Island - where Kupe placed the Kiore on his arrival