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

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

Pātaka taonga

A modern interpretation of a storehouse for treasures.

Whale land

Māori traditions, customs, and ways of relating to the land.

Whale riders

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

Whaling, then and now

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