June 24, 2024
New waka Te Kawau for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei
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Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei has a new waka.
Te Kawau was launched yesterday morning at Okahu Bay on Sunday.
The 16 metre waka was carved at Hihiaua Cultural Centre in Whangarei by a team led by Hemi Eruera and Warihi Heteraka.
Mr Eruera told RNZ National reporter Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira he drew on what he learned from the late Hekenukumai Busby on how to carve a waka that would go into the water and be safe, stable and perform well.
The waka was named after Ngāti Whātua chief Āpihai Te Kawau, a key figure within the tribe and in the establishment of Auckland.
Before they knew the name, the carvers had incorporated into the design of the tauihu a number of kawau or black shags, which tuck their wings into their sides when they are about to dive into the ocean to better pierce through the water.