Nga Waka Federation
Traditional Canoe Skills
This national forum was established in 1992 to promote participation and traditional practices of ceremonial waka.
Robert Gabel - Pouwhakahaere (Kawakawa)
Hekenukumai (Hector) Busby (Mangonui)
Doug Huria (Blenheim)
Bill Irwin (Gisborne)
Tai Mamaku (Te Teko)
Wiremu Wiremu (Moerewa)
Tepene Mamaku - Kaumatua (Te Teko)
Hohepa Mason - Life Member / Founding Chairperson (Whakatane)
On 6 February 1990 at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands, 23 ceremonial waka were present for the largest gathering in living memory. Over 1000 men were trained in the construction and operation of a variety of waka, serving as emblems of a tradition and custom for the tribes of Aotearoa.
The cost of maintenance of waka, crew and transport costs are prohibitive. Existing waka have developed a role within their own regions and their appearance at public events is a main attraction.
Today there is an increased interest in waka being developed for life skill and education training. A leading institution in this work is Te Wananga o Aotearoa.
The development of the ocean voyaging waka with Hekenukumai Busby and Maatahi Whakataka Brightwell has been added to by the work of Tom Davis of Rarotonga basing his waka in Auckland, New Zealand.
Waitangi Commemoration in the Bay of Islands is an annual event on 6 February with public displays of ceremonial waka. The home fleet of waka include Nga Toki Matawhaorua, Te Ika A Maui, Te Au Kaha, Mataatua Toroa and Te Aurere. Waka crews are hosted in a waka village with the nearby marae of Te Tii and the town of Paihia accommodating many international visitors.
The following list of ceremonial waka at Waitangi in 1990 is the original membership of Nga Waka Federation.
- Rangi Mata (Chatham Islands)
- Awatea Hou (Picton)
- Te Raukura (Wellington)
- Te Aniwaniwa (Hutt City)
- Te Ahi Kakariki (Porirua)
- Kurahaupo (Levin)
- Tamatea Arikinui (Porangahau)
- Tuhimatakamokamo (Te Awamutu)
- Te Ikanui a Rauru (Gisborne)
- Toi O Mataatua (Whakatane)
- Takitimu I (Tauranga)
- Te Awanui (Tauranga)
- Te Arawa (Rotorua)
- Tumanako (Ngaruawahia)
- Taheretikitiki (Ngaruawahia)
- Rangatahi (Ngaruawahia)
- Te Iaroa (Mercer)
- Te Kotuiti Tuarua (Kaiaua)
- Mahuhu Ki Te Rangi (Auckland)
- Ngatokimatawhaorua (Waitangi)
- Tinana (Kaitaia)
- Mataatua Puhi (Matauri Bay)
However, this is not a complete list of ceremonial waka active within Aotearoa today. New waka have been built since 1990 including the voyaging waka Te Aurere at Mangonui, Te Ikaroa a Maui at Waitangi and Te Au Kaha at Kaeo.
The Federation holds its annual meeting at Waitangi on 5 February.
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This page was last updated on 4 October 2004