Kahu kurī (dog skin cloak)

This kahu kūrī was purchased as part of the W.O. Oldman Collection by the New Zealand Government in 1948. The Oldman collection was formally gifted to the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in 1992.

This particular cloak was presented to King William IV between 1830 and 1837. Accompanying it is a very old document signed by the Māori chief who owned it, reading: "Ihupuni - A garment worn only by chiefs of distinction and never parted with except to persons of the highest rank and as a pledge of entire submission on the part of the donor. Presented to His Majesty by Ra Natenetemanu." It is believed that Ra Natenetemanu is likely a corruption of the name "Paratene Te Manu" a rangatira (chieftain) of Ngāti Wai.

While predominantly adorned with white dog hide, the side borders of this kahu kurī are adorned with brown and pink-dyed hair. On investigation under a microscope, it has been revealed that this pink-dyed fur originates from the introduced Angora goat, and adds additional uniqueness to this special garment.


Kahu Kurī
Kahu kurī (dog skin cloaks) are made of strips of dog skin with hair attached taken from the kurī (Māori dog). These strips which vary in length, are arranged by colour and sewn ontothe kaupapa (foundation) of the cloak with fine bone needles. The foundation of kahu kurī are woven from muka (New Zealand flax fibre) using a technique called pauku or pukupuku. The pukupuku weaving technique uses the whatu aho pātahi (single-pair weft twining) in close succession to form a thick and heavy protective garment. The awe (dog-hair tassels) that fringe the outside length of　some kahu kurī, are taken from the underside of the dog's tail and are similar to the circlet of dog-hair tassels that adorn the necks of taiaha. The ruffled kurupatu (dog-hair collars) are entirely separate to the kaupapa of the cloak and are made by threading separate strips together to make a length of collar that is sewn onto the neck of the finished garment.


Prestigious garments
Kahu kurī are prestigious garments possessing great mana (prestige) and were highly-prized heirlooms. Each garment possessed its own personal name and its history was carefully preserved right up to the time it passed out of Māori ownership. Sadly, most now remain anonymous in museum collections around the world. The possession of a kahu kurī immediately identified the owner as a rangatira - someone of prestige and position within the hapu (sub-tribe) or iwi (tribe). These garments were often exchanged between people of rank in recognition of important ceremonial occasions and affirmed the mana of both the giver and the recipient.


Types and variations
There are several different varieties of kahu kurī and some tribal variation in the application of the descriptive terms of these types. Some of the types recorded include tōpuni, ihupuni, awarua, kahuwaero, mahiti, and puahi. However, the construction technique remains essentially the same.