A waka journey is being planned for two ancestral waka of the Bay of Plenty in the New Year.
Mataatua Toroa and Hinemoana will be paddled along the Bay of Plenty coastline to revive waka traditions amongst the tribes of the Mataatua confederation.
The journey is being organised by Ngā Waka Toi o Mataatua, who for over 25 years have upheld the traditions of waka and Māori performing arts.
From 1990 they have represented Mataatua at the Treaty of Waitangi commemorations in the Bay of Islands, at various events throughout the country and the Pacific as well as North America and Europe.
Since the passing of their founding elder in Te Teko four yours ago, the responsibility has been taken up by his widow, their eldest son and the remaining members of the group to ensure that the waka traditions of Mataatua are maintained well into the future.
National | History