April 30, 2018
Motorway work uncovers waka
Work has stopped on a section of the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway project as conservation experts secure what appears to be a partially completed waka.
The 10 metre kauri structure is still connected to a further 7 metres of the tree's base.
Transport Agency spokesperson Chris Hunt says the waka was found on April 16 during piling work for a viaduct over the Okahu Inlet.
The mud around the object was carefully removed exposing a large rectangular wooden object.
It’s expected the object will be lifted into a storage container and taken to a new site for preservation under the supervision of local hapu Hokai Nuku and Heritage New Zealand.
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