Kōpūwai

A karara or giant of southern New Zealand who according to legend swallowed the Mata-Au (Clutha) river in order to capture a Rapuwai woman named Kaiamio. He was later turned into the mountain Kopuwai in central Otago. The nearby lake is called Hapua-o-Kaiamio. When Kōpūwai was turned into stone his pack of ten two-headed dogs were dispersed and six of them took refuge in a carved cave on the riverbank in the township of Duntroon, named Ka-waikoukou. These dogs were also turned into stone and their two-headed bodies could be seen sticking out of the water.

References

Source

  • Beattie, J. Herries. (1918). "Traditions and Legends. Collected from the natives of Murikihu." Journal of the Polynesian Society 27:137-161, p. 152.