# Kupe — Polynesian Mythology character guide

> Kupe in Polynesian Mythology by George Grey.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0012-the-discovery-of-new-zealand

## Snapshot

The legendary navigator who discovered New Zealand, named its birds, and returned home only to send others back across the sea.

## Who they are

Kupe explores the islands, names the Kōkako and Tīwaiwaka, and leaves his marks on the land as proof he was there — but he himself sails home, finding Turi and his people still dwelling in Hawaiki. When Turi prepares the Aotea for escape, Kupe appears out of the dark to counsel him: steer ever eastward, seek the river whose mouth opens west, and listen for birds that call like men. His precise sailing directions turn a fugitive flight into an organized migration.

## Relationships

### [Turi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/turi)

_friendship_

Kupe and Turi are fellow explorers and allies in the discovery of New Zealand.

### [Hoturapa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/hoturapa)

_rivalry_

Hoturapa is Kupe's rival, killed by Kupe in a dispute over fishing grounds.

### [Turi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/turi)

_friendship_

Kupe and Turi are fellow explorers and allies in the discovery of New Zealand.

### [Turi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/turi)

_friendship_

Kupe and Turi are fellow explorers and allies in the discovery of New Zealand.

### [Hoturapa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/hoturapa)

_rivalry_

Hoturapa is Kupe's rival, killed by Kupe in a dispute over fishing grounds.

## In the story

### [Polynesian Mythology](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/polynesian-mythology)

Legendary explorer credited with discovering New Zealand.

### [Legend of the Emigration of Turi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/legend-of-the-emigration-of-turi)

The explorer who previously visited New Zealand and advised Turi to sail toward the rising sun, and described the river Pātea.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/endnotes)

Referenced in connection with landing spots on the east coast and traditions about his voyages.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters/kupe
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/characters