Kopikopiko o te Waka translates as ‘the capsized canoe’ and is a treasured Ngai Tahu creation story.
Specifically, it refers to the creation of the Southern Alps and the South Island itself, or Te Waka o Aoraki (Aoraki’s canoe). Today the South Island is known widely as Te Waipounamu, but a much older name is Te Waka o Aoraki.
How to get there:
From Fox Glacier Village, turn off the Main Road / State Highway 6 and drive down Cook Flat Road. Drive past the turn off for Lake Matheson and continue on till the road becomes unsealed. Just before the Clearwater Creek Bridge on the right is Te Kopikopiko o te Waka.
