Vessel 'for everyone' to educate

Kaihoe (paddlers) carry Te Korowai into the Waitangi Estuary during the waka’s launching ceremony. Photo / Peter de Graaf

The Bay of Islands has a new "people's waka" which will be used to pass knowledge of Maori traditions to a new generation.

The double-hulled waka tangata (people's waka) was ceremonially launched at Waitangi Estuary on Friday, amid festivities marking the 175th anniversary of the Treaty, and named Te Korowai (The Cloak).

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The same name is used for the umbrella group bringing together paddlers from around Northland and Auckland for major events such as Waitangi Day.

One of the organisers of Te Korowai, Albert Cash of Kawakawa, said the new waka was "for everyone".

"The people of Pewhairangi (the Bay of Islands) have always wanted a waka they can paddle, so young people can learn the philosophy of our ancestors and the significance of waka - as well as learning about their own identity."

The new waka could take up to 40 kaihoe (paddlers). It would be used by all ages but was aimed particularly at youth.

The hulls had been donated by Maori tourism leader Hone Mihaka and refurbished by the waka group Mai Pewhairangi at the carving school in Moerewa, under the guidance of kaumatua Wiremu Wiremu.

Mr Wiremu said waka had the power to bind people together.

Young and old, Maori and Pakeha, could take part and share a sense of accomplishment.
"Their ability to bring people together is unquestionable," he said.

The young kaihoe who paddled Te Korowai on its maiden voyage were among about 250 people taking part in a four-day waka camp at Haruru Falls.

Click on the image for a clip from the launch:

As well joining in Friday's waka pageant and the launch of Te Korowai, many of the paddlers formed a guard of honour at Paihia's Stone Church on Thursday afternoon for the funeral of Opua man Rob Reed.

Mr Reed had been a waka steerer and received a national award for his work with Bay of Islands youth.

The waka camp was made possible by support from the Ngapuhi runanga, Waitangi National Trust, Far North District Council and Waitangi Commemorations Committee.