Waka at Waitangi
February 2003
A beautiful morning, glistening flat sea and crowds of beaming family, friends, politicians, radicals and tourists greeted the early morning karakia on the main beachfront of Te Tii Marae.
The canoes Ngatoki Matawhaorua and Te Ika a Maui of Waitangi, Te Au Kaha of Whangaroa, Te Wairoa of Dargaville and Mataatua of Whakatane gathered 200 paddlers in a massed haka on the beach followed by disciplined precision on the water.
Traditional waka organisation, the Nga Waka Federation, presented an awe-inspiring show at the annual Treaty of Waitangi Commemoration Day in the Bay of Islands, Northland, on 6th February 2003.
Event co-ordinator Wiremu Wiremu was grateful for the support of the the Bay of Islands community for their encouragement and resources that made this year one of the best in recent years. "It's the young people that make this all worthwhile" he said. 'They come from throughout the north and throughout Aotearoa to ensure we have waka on display at this historic place at this time'.
With fellow elders Tepene Mamaku and Hector Busby, Wiremu was appreciative of the elders who carried out all the ritual components and the parents and partners of the kaihoe (paddlers) who did all the catering.
Funding from the Waitangi Commemoration Day Committee was essential in making such an event possible. Pita Paraone, Chairman of the Committee, attended the final evening's gathering and expressed his thanks to the huge number of young participants. "There is a new uplifting spirit this year at Waitangi and the waka has been a major part of this change" he added.