Queens Jubilee River Pageant to USA Tribal Canoe journeys

9 July 2012

From the Queens Diamond Jubilee River Pageant to the USA Tribal Canoe journeys 2012

The New Zealand waka taua Te Hono ki Aotearoa was part of 1000 vessels on the River Thames celebrating the Queens 60th reign at the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant in June which involved a 27 kilometre paddle with 1.3 million people lining the shores of the River Thames and 3.2 billion people around the world watching by television.

There had been a great deal of interest in the waka and support for its presence in London from throughout both Britain and New Zealand. Waka continue to stir great excitement internationally when on public display.

This time 2 members involved in that historic event will now be embarking on an epic 130 mile ‘Tribal Canoe Journey’ paddle to Squaxin Island territory in the Puget Sound USA with the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. The Canoe journey exchange with the Grand Ronde has been ongoing since 2009 with their members also participating in the Waitangi Waka Pageants on the 6th February.

Chappy Harrison from Kaitaia, who captained the NZ waka in the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant, will accompany Joe Conrad, who participated in last years Tribal Canoe Journeys. Both Chappy and Joe are the Captains for Nga Toki Matawhaorua, the largest waka taua in the country. They depart New Zealand on the 19th July 2012.

About Toi Māori Aotearoa:
Toi Māori Aotearoa is the national organisation for Māori art and artists and receives major funding from Te Waka Toi, the Māori Arts Board of Creative New Zealand.

www.maoriart.org.nz

ENDS

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