Te Kopikopiko o te Waka
The Upturned Canoe of Te Tai Poutini
A short introduction for visitors to Glacier Country, Te Tai Poutini / the West Coast.
The Waka / Te Kopikopiko o te Waka
The overturned canoe
Te Kopikopiko o te Waka refers to the upturned canoe that forms the Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana.
According to Ngāi Tahu tradition, Aoraki and his brothers travelled in their waka exploring the world. When the waka struck a reef and overturned, they climbed onto it. As the south wind froze them, they turned to stone.
The canoe became the backbone of the South Island, and the brothers became the highest peaks, with Aoraki standing tallest.
This landscape is not just physical; it is ancestral, living, and deeply connected to the stories of the people of Te Tai Poutini.
Why we share this story
This place holds more than scenery:
It holds whakapapa, memory and meaning.
When visitors come to Fox Glacier, we encourage an understanding that the mountains and valleys are part of a living cultural landscape.
From the air, we offer a view of scale and beauty. On the ground, there is an opportunity to connect more deeply with the stories that give this place its identity
Every visit is an invitation
to experience:
Manaakitanga — genuine hospitality and care
Whanaungatanga — connection and belonging
Kaitiakitanga — guardianship of land and culture
Visit Te Kopikopiko o te Waka
Located near the Clearwater Bridge, approximately 9 kilometres from Fox Glacier on Gillespie’s Beach Road.
Standing there, you are not just looking at a place — you are standing within a story that continues today.
Sources: Ngāi Tahu traditions; Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
Prepared for Mountain Helicopters Fox Glacier.