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Interest is growing in a traditional waka being sold to raise funds for a school of traditional navigation.
Peter Phillips from Te Tai Tokerau Tarai Waka committee says master waka builder Hekenukumai Busby wants to complete the whare at Aurere on Doubtless Bay to house the wananga, which up to now has been run in a marquee and a tin shed.
He says Mr Busby has built more than 30 waka, but never one for sale in this way.
" It’s a waka tete, one step down from waka tauaa in terms of the classification of waka. It's 14 metres long, it's about 1.2 metres wide . It will be paddled by a crew of up to 22. It is kauri from the Herekino forest and it's been handcrafted in thetraditional way " he says.
Peter Phillips says Te Tai Tokerau Tarai Waka hopes the as yet unnamed waka can stay in the north.
http://www.finishthewhare.nz/Home.html
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH PETER PHILLIPS CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=Mjc1Mzg=
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