Safe travels: destination National Waka Hourua Festival

Bay of Islands bound: Waka Tairāwhiti heads towards Tūranganui-a-Kiwa Poverty Bay bound for the National Long Distance Waka Ama Championships in the Bay of Islands en route to Kāwhia Moana for the National Waka Hourua Festival. Pictures by Paul Rickard

The waka Tairāwhiti departed Tūranganui-a-Kiwa Poverty Bay on Monday afternoon to begin a seven-week voyage to celebrate Te Hau Kōmaru — the second National Waka Hourua Festival.

This year’s festival is being held in Kāwhia Moana (Waikato) on October 15 and October 22--23.

Its main aim is to raise awareness about waka hourua and all the things connected to it.

“The event will include waka workshops for schools, public sessions over the weekend and opportunities to experience and get a glimpse into the life of a kaumoana (crew member),” Tairāwhiti Waka Trust manager Emma van Berkel said.

“The three-waka hourua making their way to Kāwhia are Hinemoana, Ngahiraka mai Tawhiti and Tairāwhiti, with the first stop planned for the Bay of Islands to support the Waka Ama Long Distance Nationals being held this week.

“Every year Te Hau Kōmaru offers Tairāwhiti kaumoana opportunities to build valuable experience and knowledge, and connect with and learn from our tuakana waka.”

Stay up to date with the voyage progress through the Tairāwhiti Waka Horoua .