A young Dutchman taking part in Waitangi Day celebrations as a waka paddler describes it as one of the greatest experiences of his life.
Koos Wabeke, 23, is one of four Dutch students visiting Northland in the first year of an exchange between New Zealand and the Netherlands.
The relationship began last
year with the handover of a fully carved, Northland-made waka to the Volkenkunde ethnology museum in Leiden. One of the conditions of the waka's "permanent loan" to the museum was that a Dutch crew be fully trained in tikanga waka, and that some of the kaihoe (paddlers) visit Waitangi each year to enhance their knowledge.
The Dutch kaihoe had to spend many hours practising in a fibreglass training waka, and had to learn the haka. "Because we are used to discipline and rhythm, we picked it up pretty fast," he said.
Their first time in the waka Te Hono ki Aotearoa (The Link to New Zealand) was "pretty special", he said.
"It's such an important waka to them. We have to be respectful and very understanding with it."
When the waka was handed over in Leiden last October Mr Wabeke, as club president, was chosen as kaihautu (captain). "It was amazing, but it was nerve-racking. I had a few days to learn all the Maori commands and had to lead the haka."
The group is staying at a waka camp in Waitangi. They have visited the workshop of waka master Hec Busby in Doubtless Bay, where the Dutch waka was built, and yesterday the three young men had the "great honour" of crewing the 36-metre Ngatokimatawhaorua while their female compatriot joined a women's crew. "The Maori culture has grabbed us pretty hard," Mr Wabeke said.
"They are trusting and give us a lot of responsibility. They tell great stories and then listen to our stories. We are hooked on it. It's an amazing country. This is one of the most beautiful experiences of my life."
The paddlers have a rigorous training schedule planned when they return to Holland - but any practice in the waka will have to wait until the country's frozen canals thaw.
Also taking part in yesterday's waka pageant were Pieter Roorda, 22, Peerke van der List, 20, and Annerie van Dalsen, 24. They are accompanied by Farideh Fekrsanati, objects conservator at the Volkenkunde Museum.
