Story: Tūranganui-a-Kiwa tribes

Te Kurī-a-Pāoa

Te Kurī-a-Pāoa

This prominent headland, 27 km south of Gisborne, is a significant place for Tūranganui-a-Kiwa iwi (tribes). Its name, Te Kurī-a-Pāoa, means ‘the dog of Pāoa’: Pāoa was the captain of the Horouta waka (canoe). Later, Lieutenant James Cook named it Young Nick’s Head, in honour of the cabin boy who first sighted land from the Endeavour. In 2003 there was an outcry when an American purchased the headland. Subsequently, the cliffs, a site and the peak were placed in public ownership.

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GNS Science
Reference: 12936-10
Photograph by Lloyd Homer

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How to cite this page:

Nick Tūpara, 'Tūranganui-a-Kiwa tribes - Lands and ancestors', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/2300/te-kuri-a-paoa (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Nick Tūpara, published 8 Feb 2005, updated 1 Mar 2017