Te Aurere Panui February 2004
Huitanguru 2004 Kaulua 2004
Kia ora,
Once again, this year Waitangi was a great spectacle with four Waka Taua and Te Aurere in attendance. The Waka Taua were Ngatokimatawhaurua from Waitangi, Te Ika a Maui from Aurere, Mataatua Toa from Ngati Awa and Te Au Kaha from Whaiangaroa.
Despite all the negative stuff that goes on at the lower Marae or up at the flag staff on the Treaty Grounds, the activities round the Whare Waka and out on the water are what really make Waitangi Day. We hope that the Prime Minister the Hon. Helen Clark MP, The Minister of Maori Affairs the Hon. Parakura Horamia MP and the Hon. Dover Samuels MP enjoyed their sail on Te Aurere. The Prime Minister must have been really keen as she arrived to board the Waka just as the crew were going to have their breakfast! Don"t know if those guys ever got their breakfast?
Great news from Maui, Hawaii this month. Sponsors have been found to allow the team from Aotearoa to take part in the International Festival of Canoes. The sponsors are Ekahi Tours and The House of Fountains. Many thanks to Ray and Daniella. This means that once again Hekenukumai will be able to make a canoe in two weeks and astound everyone when it is launched, as they will all be expecting it to capsize as it will be the only one not to have an ama.
Watch out for the 5th Annual Te Houtaewa Waka Ama Surf Challenge. This is taking place on 20/21 March 2004. If your Waka Ama club would like to take part contact Te Houtaewa Trust. Phone 64 9 408 0870 or fax 64 9 408 1100. Email TALL-TALE-TOURS@xtra.co.nz or visit their web site http://www.tall-tale.co.nz.
To find out more about what is happening in the world of Waka Ama visit http://www.wakaama.co.nz.
We are interested in all things Waka and this month have found a real treat for you if you are considering visiting the South Island and would like to do something a little different. How about a half-day guided waka tour in the Abel Tasman National Park?! Guests get the chance to learn about Maori culture and paddle a Waka Tangata. The waka hull is laminated Kahikatea and the carvings are Totara. If this sounds like you here are the contact details: Abel Tasman Waka Tours, Sandy Bay Road, RD 2, KAITERITERI. Ph. 64 3 527 8160, Fax 64 3 527 8544, email wakatours@xtra.co.nz or visit their website http://www.wakatours.co.nz.
Work commenced this month on fibre glassing the hiwi of the new waka hourua. After many hours of sanding etc. to get them ready it was good to see this work commence. The weather has played a major part in progress on the waka. After all the weeks of fine weather it has been very variable for the last few weeks.
Te Aurere is still moored in the Kerikeri Inlet where she"s been since Waitangi Day. Inclement weather has stopped her being taken back to Tamaki Makaurau and her mooring at the Maritime Museum. Another attempt is to be made this weekend to sail her down but the weather forecast is not too flash!
Anyway, that"s about it for this month. Take care of yourselves and be good to each other.
Noho ora mai, Michael Harding
Glossary
Hiwi - Hulls
Hui-tanguru - February
Kaulua - February
Tamaki Makaurau - Auckland
Te Houtaewa - Ninety Mile Beach
Waka Ama - Outrigger Canoe
Waka Hourua - Double hulled blue water voyaging canoe
Waka Taua - War Canoe
Whare Waka - Canoe House