However, it's important to note that:
* There's no definitive historical evidence that Kupe actually existed. The stories about him are passed down through oral traditions.
* The exact type of waka he used is unclear. Some accounts describe it as a large, double-hulled canoe, while others say it was a single-hulled waka.
Despite the uncertainties, the Mata Hourua remains a powerful symbol in Maori culture, representing the journeys of their ancestors and the connection between Polynesia and New Zealand.