Annual Traditional Waka Pageant
New Hinemoana waka launch followed by a ceremonial fleet at the Waitangi Day Celebrations.
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Each year on the sixth of February, an impressive fleet of ceremonial Waka perform as a part of the Waitangi Day Celebrations in Waitangi, Bay of Islands.
Following the launch at dawn, the waka will traverse the surrounding bays, culminating in a powerful final haka on Te Tii Beach.
Ceremonial waka gather from all over New Zealand to provide a spectacular public performance in a display of strength, beauty and tradition. The waka, with their skilled crews of kaihautu (steersmen) and kaihoe (paddlers) bring a powerful element of ritual and ceremony for all to see.
This event, presented by Nga Waka Federation, is focused on the preservation of the tikanga (protocols) and traditions surrounding traditional and ceremonial waka.
With the support of Waitangi Day Commemorations Committee and with funding from Te Waka Toi, the Maori Arts Board of Creative New Zealand.
This year, will see the launch of Hinemoana, the new ceremonial waka teetee kura at Waitangi on Monday 5 February 2007. The waka will be blessed at 10am in the morning at Te Tii beach.
Hinemoana was completed in January 2007 at Aurere in the Far North by renowned waka builder Hekenukumai (Hector) Busby. Carvings on the waka were completed by Jack Brooking and Tamati Holmes. An eagle carving incorporated on the waka by Canadian artists Dempsey Bob (Tahltan/Tlingit) and Stan Bevan (Tlingit) acknowledges the close link between these First Nation carvers and Maori artists.
The waka crew is primarily Ngati Awa led by Hine and Ben Mamaku. The Whakatane District Council and Te Runanga o Ngati Awa will care for the waka alongside the Mataatua Toroa Waka Taua which is housed in Whakatane.
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