Welcome to The Prow, a website featuring historical and cultural stories from Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough.
Te Tau Ihu o Te Waka a Māui is the Māori name for the top of the South Island. Legend tells us that Te Tau Ihu was the prow of Māui's waka, or canoe, from which he fished up the North Island.
Join our voyage and discover more about the history and stories of Te Tau Ihu. Search or browse the theme pages, our timeline or the map location feature, add your own story, or comment on any story. Contact us for further information or to provide feedback on our stories.
The Prow is a collaboration between Nelson Public Libraries, Tasman District Libraries and Marlborough District Libraries, the Nelson Provincial Museum, and the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology. Images are supplied by supporting institutions, please check their terms of use.
When settlers arrived in Nelson in 1841 there were no animals or familiar game birds available as a source of food. Some animals and plants were introduced in a random way in the early days.
