Te Papa is open. Te Papa Covid-19 information: Orange
Kei te tuwhera a Te Papa. He mōhiohio nā Te Papa mō Kowheori-19: Karaka

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Whale People

Humans have revered whales, hunted them, and explored their astounding adaptations to life in the sea.

Meet some of the people whose lives have been inextricably linked with whales – from legendary South Pacific whale riders to whale scientists and former whaling families.

  • Pātaka and the story of Tinirau and the whale

    Pātaka and the story of Tinirau and the whale

    Some patterns on pātaka probably have their origins in the story of the chief Tinirau and his pet whale Tutunui.

  • Pātaka taonga

    Pātaka taonga

    Discover the treasures stored in the pātaka taonga.

  • Whale land

    Whale land

    Māori sometimes remembered significant events and stories about whales by naming islands and landforms after them.

  • Whale riders

    Whale riders

    Discover some of the rich whale-riding traditions of Māori culture.

  • Whaling, then and now

    Whaling, then and now

    Māori and other South Pacific harvested food and materials from whales that occasionally stranded on their shores.