The Kurë is an extinct breed of Polynesian Dog kept by MÃÂori people. It was introduced to New Zealand by the Polynesian ancestors of the MÃÂori during their migration from East Polynesia in the 13th century AD. According to MÃÂori tradition, the demigod MÃÂui transformed his brother-in-law Irawaru into the first dog.
Kurë were bushy-tailed, with short legs and powerful shoulders. Their coat colour ranged from yellowish brown to black, white, or spotted. Like other Polynesian dog breeds, they howled instead of barking.
Kurë were a source of food for MÃÂori, and considered a delicacy. British explorer James Cook sampled kurë on his 1769 voyage and declared that it was almost as tasty as lamb.
Kurë were also used to hunt birds. In addition, MÃÂori used their skins and fur to make dog-skin cloaks (kahu kurë), belts, weapon decorations and poi.
Kurë were seen widely across New Zealand during Cook's first voyage in 1769. The kurë became extinct in New Zealand in the 1860s, following the arrival of European settlers; the breed was unable to survive interbreeding with European dogs. The remains of the last known specimens, a female and her pup, are now in the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.