Te Hono ki Aotearoa

The Toi Māori waka taua Te Hono ki Aotearoa is based at the Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden, Holland and is on permanent loan for 100 years to the museum.

It is a living and functioning waka and can also be exhibited on display. It is a tri-partite relationship between Toi Māori, the Museum Volkenkunde and the Njord Royal Rowing Club based in Leiden.

The legal ownership of the waka remains with Toi Māori. The waka was built as a ‘Waka for Europe’ and can be used a vehicle to promote Māori arts, culture and New Zealand at any feature events promoting the country within Europe.

The Tohunga Tarai Waka is Hekenukumaingaiwi Puhipi (Hector Busby) and his kaiāwhina (assistant) Heemi Eruera.

§         The Tohunga Whakairo (Master Carver) is Takirirangi Smith and his carving team.

§         The ceremonial waka taua is named ‘Te Hono ki Aotearoa’ by Tepene Mamaku which was completed on 26 June 2010

§         It weighs approximately 1000kgs.

§         14-16 kaihoe (paddlers) can be on this waka.

§        The length of the waka is approximately 13.55mtres long, 1.7 metres at its widest point (te kei - stern) and .7 metres at the ihu (bow).

§         Whakaangi waka taua and Te Hono ki Aotearoa waka taua were fashioned from the same kauri log.