The Black Dog of Moeraki, Otago, New Zealand

Sep 22

Long before Europeans landed and settled in New Zealand in the 18th century the indigenous Polynesian people known as the Māori had developed their own culture, language, social class system, and superstitions. One of the more prevailing superstitions was that of the black dog often considered a terrible omen.

The Legend of the Black Dog

Centuries ago on the Otago Peninsula, a tribe of Māori lived in tranquility despite being led by a hot-headed chief. A tribe’s Kuia (or wise woman) were women who were considered highly intelligent and skilled in various areas including the mystical arts. The Kuia for this particular tribe was notable for always having her loyal large black dog at her side.

While the Māori tribes valued dogs, specifically the now extinct kurī breed who were useful for hunting and guarding supplies, the more valued kurī’s were those with yellowish or white fur. So it was a bit of an oddity that this Kuia treasured and loved her black dog over all the others.

One day while the Kuia was out gathering supplies for a batch of medicine, her black dog stayed behind to keep watch over her hut and fell asleep. Unfortunately, her hut was right next to the chief’s and her dog had fallen asleep near his entrance.

Upon exiting his hut, the chief tripped over the dog and injured his leg. Enraged, the chief began yelling at the dog who started growling and howling in response. The chief moved to strike the dog but it instead bit his arm first and ran off. Now seething with anger, the chief ordered men from the tribe to find and capture the beast.

Hours later the Kuia returned to the now tranquil group enjoying a victory feast. Tired and hungry, she joined the feast and devoured the delicious food. Remembering her dog, she called out to it to give it some scraps but when it didn’t answer, she asked the chief if he had seen her dog. The chief responded, “You’re eating him.”

Her shock quickly turned to fury and the Kuia tossed all the food on the ground. She stared directly at the chief and placed a deadly curse on him. She then decreed that no one could ever hurt a black dog again and that seeing one would be a death omen. The chief laughed but his boisterous bellows came to an end when a piece of bone became lodged in his throat and he choked to death.

As the centuries went on stories of a large black dog appearing and disappearing only at night along the trails of Otago started to spread. Those who settled on the land after the Maoris were told of the legend of the black dog and feared seeing one appearing at night.

Several stories told of travelers spotting a black dog with red eyes wandering aimlessly along the trails. If the black dog spotted them, it would growl and appear foaming at the mouth but it would never attack. The travelers ran away, eventually finding their way back home but they weren’t safe.

Within 24 hours of seeing the dog, something tragic befalls the travelers. Many were lucky, suffering accidents leaving them with broken bones, others became deathly ill, yet a few unlucky travelers were found dead of unknown causes.

But, some of the stories told of a helpful companion who guided lost travelers back to safety. When those lost travelers arrived back to civilization and turned to reward the black dog, it would disappear leaving behind no traces it was ever there.

According to legend, there doesn’t appear to be any rhyme or reason for why the black dog helps some and curses others. If you’re ever walking along the trails in Otago, New Zealand, bring a map just in case.

Origin and Other Versions

The origin of the legend appears to be impossible to trace back and almost definitely does come from during the time of the Māori tribes. The Maoris held dogs in extremely high regard and had other legends, including one magic ogre dog with a fish tail who guarded the Mataura Falls. In these legends seeing the dog was also a terrible omen.

As for the Black Dog of Moeraki, one thing that might not have been part of the original legend is the claim that seeing a black dog was an omen. When the Europeans arrived in New Zealand, writings depict the Maoris living with all different types of kurīs. There didn’t appear to be any fear of kurīs in black coats.

Another interesting thing to point out is that while the Māori tribe held dogs in high regard, they were used for food and clothing. Eating a dog was not uncommon or a surprising act as some versions of the legend make it to be.

Other versions of the story say the Kuia’s dog was a vicious animal only loyal to her and the chief was just looking for an excuse to get rid of it. The chief’s death is also different in some versions, some variations say he finished his meal without issue and was found the following morning dead. When those on the island checked his body, they found a piece of bone in his throat.