The Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Manatū Taonga, has announced that the remains of a waka have been discovered on Rēkohu/Wharekauri, the Chatham Islands.
Manatū Taonga has been working closely with landowners, Hokotehi Moriori Trust, Ngāti Mutunga ki Wharekauri, Moriori Imi Settlement Trust, Heritage New Zealand, and the Department of Conservation to ensure the recovery and conservation of the waka is carried out appropriately.
Archaeologists, conservators, and other professionals are supporting this work.
Glenis Philip-Barbara, the ministry’s Deputy Secretary for Māori Crown Partnerships expressed gratitude to the local family for notifying them of the discovery and caring for the exposed waka and recovered pieces.
She says processes are underway to recover the waka and to engage with the imi and iwi to ensure proper care, custody, and conservation.
Manatū Taonga has issued a public notice on its website, allowing interested parties 60 days to apply for ownership of the waka under the Protected Objects Act 1975.
