December 10, 2013
Ocean waka set for harbour cruises
Travellers to Tamaki Herenga Waka will have the chance to sail a traditional double hulled ocean-going canoe on the Waitemata thanks to a new venture at the Voyager Maritime Museum.
Experienced tourism entrepreneur John Panoho has teamed up with Te Toki Trust and the museum to create Waka Quest.
It’s making use of Haunui, which was part of a fleet that travelled from Aotearoa to North America last year, and other waka that may become available.
Auckland mayor Len Brown was at last night’s launch, and he says there was a lot of interest with representation from members of the Chinese business community, China-based travel agents, New Zealand Maori Tourism and mana whenua.
He says as the Tamaki Makaurau treaty settlement process develops he expects mana whenua iwi to become more involved in such ventures.
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