Te Waka ‘Te Matau a Maui’

Monday, 13 July 2009, 4:04 pm
Press Release: Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc

NGĀTI KAHUNGUNU IWI INCORPORATED
MEDIA RELEASE
10 July 2009

Te Waka ‘Te Matau a Maui’

A new waka hourua, or double-hull vessel, will be soon be launched by Ngati Kahungunu to sail among a fleet to Hawaii and later feature as part of the Rugby World Cup 2011 celebrations in Hawke's Bay.

Iwi representatives will be in Auckland on Wednesday where they will see the waka, named Te Matau a Maui, for the first time.

While the vessel was built in the City of Sails, it will feature the handywork of some well known Ngati Kahungunu artists and crafts people.

Head of Toimairangi School of Art, Te Wananaga o Aotearoa in Hastings Sandy Adsett has created the design patterns on the the waka and sail, Broughton Johnson of Nuhaka, a well renown Kahungunu caver and moko artist has completed the carvings.

Hoturoa Kerr who is involved with Te Wananga O Aotearoa and their waka hourua named, Aotearoa1, will lead the training of the crew for Te Matau a Maui next year.

The project intends to be linked to a leadership programme through schools and a Tane Purotu programme through Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated's Violence Free Strategy.

The iwi organisation also wanted to involve its various marae for a Healthy Life Styles programme working with health services Kahungunu Hikoi Whenua and Kahungunu Choices.

The waka's first major outing will be its maiden voyage from Rarotonga to Hawaii in June 2010 with six other Pacific waka for a pageant. At the end of the event, it will be sailed to Napier.

In Hawke's Bay the waka will be used for activities during the Rugby World Cup 2011.

Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated said while the waka could be used as a tourist and cultural icon, it was the revival of the ancient art of sailing which would be most important to the people.

ENDS

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