Where did Maori chief Kupe come from?

There's no definitive answer to where Maori chief Kupe came from. He's a figure from Maori oral tradition, and while there are many stories about him, there's no concrete historical evidence to confirm his origins.

Here's what we know:

* Maori Oral Tradition: Kupe is said to have been a great navigator who led the first Polynesian exploration of New Zealand, landing there around the 10th century AD.

* Different Origins: The stories of Kupe's origins vary. Some traditions place him in Hawaiki (a mythical ancestral homeland, potentially in Polynesia), while others suggest he was from a different region entirely.

* Lack of Archaeological Evidence: There's no archaeological evidence to confirm Kupe's existence or the date of his arrival in New Zealand.

* Historical Interpretation: Some scholars suggest that Kupe could represent a group of early voyagers rather than a single individual, or that his story reflects the shared ancestral memory of Polynesian migration to New Zealand.

In essence, while Kupe is a significant figure in Maori tradition, his origins remain shrouded in mystery. His story is important for understanding the origins of Maori culture and the complex process of Polynesian settlement in New Zealand.