Big plans for Whanganui's 30th Tira Hoe Waka on river

Tira Hoe Waka paddlers raft up in the middle reaches of the Whanganui River, in 2015. Photo/file

In the 30th year of the Whanganui iwi canoe journey there are many plaques to be installed, canoes to be blessed and a ball at the end, Willy Hutch says.

He's the new chairman of the Tira Hoe Waka, a journey of learning down the Whanganui River. In it descendants 12 years and older are hosted at marae en route.

Rata trees blossomed in the riverside bush this year, the first time Mr Hutch has seen that in 28 years. He said it looked beautiful and was a good sign.

"It shows that our vegetation is growing back."

Tira Hoe Waka participants pay a fee, and some are sponsored by region land trusts. The Atihau-Whanganui Incorporation provides all the meat for their meals, and Conservation Department staff carry provisions to remote marae in jetboats.

This year there are about 200 paddlers - twice as many as last year. Some have come from Australia to reconnect with their river.

As well as the paddlers there are hosts, who get to some river marae by road.

This year the canoe trip begins with storm warnings for the first few days. The programme has been adjusted to include two safety sessions, one on the water and one on land.

Karakia (prayers) will also help keep everyone safe, Mr Hutch said, and extra water in the river could be good. It was low at Taumarunui on Thursday.

This year a tree will be planted and plaque placed at every marae on the river, to commemorate the journey's 30th year.

Participants started at 9am at Otoko Marae, on State Highway 4, on Friday. They continue to Maungarongo Marae at Ohakune for lunch, and then head to Lake Otamangakau to see one of the places where mountain water is diverted north into the Tongariro Power Development.

They spend the night at Ngapuwaiwaha Marae in Taumarunui, where new six-man waka are named and blessed for the journey.

The Tira has been using mostly six-man waka for the past few years, Mr Hutch said. Two have been retired this year, and four new ones added.

They're made of fibreglass, using an iwi mould. They've been given names that relate to tupuna (forebears) and significant places on the Whanganui River.

The stopping places vary from year to year. This year Pipiriki will be missed out, with the paddlers carrying on past it to Hiruharama (Jerusalem). They have rest days at Whitianga and Hiruharama.

Evaluation happens after they reach Putiki Marae, in Whanganui, on January 17. It's followed by a celebratory ball at Whanganui racecourse on January 18.