The Māori Names of Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier
The Māori Names of Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier
A short introduction for visitors to Glacier Country, Te Tai Poutini / the West Coast.
Fox Glacier / Te Moeka o Tuawe
The bed of Tuawe
Te Moeka o Tuawe remembers Tuawe and his resting place in the landscape. The name connects Fox Glacier with the pūrākau associated with Hine Hukatere and Tuawe.
Franz Josef Glacier / Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere
The tears of Hine Hukatere
Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere recalls the tears of Hine Hukatere after the loss of her loved one in the mountains. Her grief is remembered in the glacier itself.
Why we share these names
These names are not just labels on a map. They hold memory, story and relationship to place. In our offices at Fox Glacier and Franz Josef, we point visitors toward opportunities to learn more about the whenua, the local stories and the cultural significance of the places they are visiting.
From the air, our role is to help people appreciate the scale, beauty and fragility of these landscapes, while encouraging respect for the stories, people and values connected to them.
Every flight is an invitation to experience:
Manaakitanga: genuine hospitality and care
Whanaungatanga: connection and belonging
Kaitiakitanga: guardianship of land, sea and culture
A note for visitors
We encourage visitors to take time on the ground, in the local area, to learn more from appropriate cultural interpretation and local information sources. The story of these glaciers is deeper than a scenic view; it is part of the living cultural landscape of Te Tai Poutini.
Sources: Toitū Te Whenua LINZ New Zealand Gazetteer; Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand; Ngāi Tahu published material.
Prepared for Mountain Helicopters Fox Glacier.