Throughout the Pacific region, Kupe is the navigator credited with bringing the knowledge and data back to the Pacific that enabled the eventual population of Aotearoa. This issue explores the adventurous legend of Kupe’s pursuit of a great octopus and the ways of Polynesian navigators who used the sky and ocean to guide their journeys between the islands of the Pacific.
You might also like my post - Kupe and The First Maori Settlers.
For other posts on Maori culture & legends see our Index - New Zealand Maori.
The Eight Stamps.
$1.30 - Kupe & Te Wheke o Muturangi.
Kupe was a Rangatira (great leader & great fisherman) who lived in Hawaiiki. Surrounding Kupe's settlement was the traditional fishing grounds where Kupe and his tribe caught their fish. When the fish began to disappear, Kupe became aware the Te Wheke o Muturangi / Chief Muturangi's pet Octopus was taking all the fish.
$1.30 - Kupe sets out to Kill the Octopus.
Kupe cast a spell so that the wheke (octopus) would never be able to dive and hide in the depths of the ocean. Then he set out to kill Te Wheke o Muturangi.
$1.30 - Kuke chases the Octopus.
Kupe chased Te Wheke o Muturangi for weeks across the vast Pacific Ocean. Later he would remember this journey and give his grandson Nukutäwhiti instructions on how to find this new land. "Steer towards the star Atua-tahi (Canopus). Hold to the left of Mango-roa (the Milky Way"
$1.30 - Kupe's wife Hine-te-Aparangi.
Kupe's wife Hine-te-Aparangi is known as Kuramärotini in some accounts. One day during this voyage, she saw the Southern Alps (South Island of New Zealand) from a distance. Rather than snow-capped mountains, she thought they were a long white cloud (an indication of land) and exclaimed "He ao! He aotea!, He aotearoa!" (A cloud. A white cloud. A long white cloud!). From this, the name given to this new land was Aotearoa; referring to the "land of the long white cloud" as seen by Hine-te-Aparangi.
$1.30 - A Beautiful New Land.
Kupe, Hine-te-Aparangi and their whanau (family) were amazed by the beauty of the new land they discovered. But before for this new land could be explored, Kupe had unfinished business with the octopus Te Wheke o Muturangi.
$1.30 - Kupe kills Te Wheke o Muturangi.
Leaving Hine-te-Aparangi and his whanau, Kupe and his warriors chased and after several weeks defeated Te Wheke o Muturangi (Chief Muturangi's Octopus) around the Marlborough Sounds.
$1.30 - Whanau Begin Mourning for Him.
During Kupe's long absence, Hine-te-Aparangi and her whanau worried that Kupe had been slain by Te Wheke o Muturangi and would never return. Matiu and Makaro, his two mokopuna (daughters), slashed their breasts as a mark of mourning. Their blood stained the rocks red.
$1.30 - Kupe Returns to Hawaiiki.
Kupe returned safely to his whanau and they travelled the west coast of Te Ika a Maui (The North Island) before they return home to Hawaiiki. Shown is one of the two toki pounamu (greenstone tools from Aotearoa) that were used on the waka Matawhaorua to re-fit it for its return journey to Aotearoa.
Collectable Items.
First Day Cover - 5 June 2019.
Miniature Sheet with eight $1.30 stamps.
Full Sheet and Special Blocks.
Full Sheet.
Plate Block - Bottom third of Full Sheet.
Value Block - Top Third of Full Sheet.
Presentation Pack.
Kupe - The Great Navigator Presentation Pack.
Luke Mikaire Crawford is the kaumatua to the Māori All Blacks and New Zealand Rugby. He has worked closely with graphic designer Dave Burke to produce Māori sports apparel associated with the Māori team. This has developed Luke’s keen interest in and passion for sharing the beauty of authentic Māori stories with the world. In this presentation pack, Luke connects the stories of Kupe the legend and Kupe the great navigator, delving into the navigation techniques of Pacific way finders that are still used by mariners today.
Technical information.
Date of issue: 5 June 2019.
The number of stamps: Eight gummed stamps.
Denominations: 8 x $1.30.
Stamps, miniature sheet and first day covers designed: Dave Burke, Tauranga, New Zealand.
Printer and process: Southern Colour Print, Dunedin, by offset lithography.
The number of colours: Four process colours.
Stamp size and format: 45.6mm x 35mm (horizontal).
Paper type: Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper.
The number of stamps per sheet: Eight.
Perforation gauge: 14.78 x 14.86.
Period of sale: Unless stocks are exhausted earlier, these stamps will remain on sale until 4 June 2020. First-day covers will remain on sale until 31 July 2019.
Some of the images in this post were used with permission from the illustrated catalogue of StampsNZ
Information & images for this post came from.
I am surprised there have not been any comments yet. Your Maori themed posts are often more popular. I like the colourful stamps this time. I also like how you've added them to your other page on Kupe.
ReplyDeleteAnne.
Yes I agree, Anne. There are usually more comments. Not even heard from Moa yet.
ReplyDeleteAlkan
Just be patient Allan. People will find these stamps as they are so bright and colourful.
ReplyDeleteJulie
This story here is not as I expected. It reflects Kupe in a more negative light particularly concerning his treatment of members of his family.
ReplyDeleteI see you have used seven of these stamps on your other Kupe page too.
Brian
Hello Allan,
ReplyDeleteSorry I am late getting back to review this post. First, the colourful stamps really hit you don't they. I was expecting more from the captions, maybe even the story of Kupe. I felt disappointed and you left me wanting more. Nice post, Allan but you've done better.
On a more positive note, you took these stamps and added them to your other page on Kupe. What a great addition. That page has come out far better than I ever expected.
Moa.