Club competitors and school students alike will have the chance to take to the Whanganui River in a brand-new waka after the Moana Nui was unveiled at Putiki yesterday morning.
Whanganui Maaori Sports has gifted the new six-person craft to the community through the local club, Te Ringa Miti Tai Heke Whanganui Waka Ama.
TRMTH currently has one racing-single waka and five training-single wakas.
The bigger craft will help to keep those learning the sport interested as they won't have to wait for a turn and will build the confidence for singles competition by training with a crew boat, or vice versa.
Maaori Sports spokeswoman Janine Plumridge said the waka will also be available for all the local college teams.