The tribal river wānanga the Tira Hoe Waka has been cancelled for only the second time in more than 30 years.
The two-week journey down the Whanganui River for the River tribes has been happening every year since 1988, but has been axed for the second year running because of the threat of Covid-19.
Tira Hoe Waka executive committee chair Hayden Potaka said with up to 400 people typically involved in the annual event, the committee could not risk the Tira becoming a super-spreader event.
"The main reason for this decision is the preservation of life. Delta was significant and the numbers were high. And even with the traffic light system we were still unsure if we could remain safe on the awa during that period."