Foundations laid for waka navigations

WORK IN PROGRESS: Te Tai Tokerau Tarai Waka Kupe Centre, taking shape at Aurere

The foundations for Te Tai Tokerau Tarai Waka Kupe Waka Centre have been laid at Aurere, marking what project spokesman James Watkinson described as a significant milestone.

The whenua had been blessed, he said, and construction of what would be the world's first traditional waka navigational centre was now well under way.

"The laying of the foundation was a significant part of the development process, and it was wonderful to arrive at this stage," Mr Watkinson said.

"Our kaumatua have blessed the whenua on which this whare will stand, and we are now preparing to apply roofing to the whare.

"It is important to acknowledge the whanau committee of Te Tai Tokerau Tarai Waka Inc and their perseverance over a long period of time to bring this project to fruition, and we are honoured to now look toward the completion of this building," he added.

The building, which stands alongside the recently opened New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute waka school Te Wananga A Kupe Mai Tawhiti, and will include a dining area, kitchen facilities and ablution block, has been designed to preserve and disseminate knowledge based on teachings of local rangatira Hekenukumai Busby, who at 82 years of age is world renowned expert in waka building and traditional celestial navigation.

Mr Busby's Te Tai Tokerau Tarai Waka committee has guided the project from its conceptual stage, realising a dream that has been cherished throughout the organisation's 30-year existence.

"This will certainly be a world first, and nothing excites us more than the ability to house the knowledge of our ancestors and provide this as a home to waka navigational history and teachings to generations to come," Mr Watkinson, a nephew of Mr Busby, said.

"Uncle Hek is an absolute powerhouse in terms of his knowledge he isn't just a waka builder and navigator, he's a businessman, and this project has been entirely his vision for the future.

"We have been but vessels for his life dream, which we all share."

The project had been designed and managed by Design Tribe Architects, in Auckland, funded by NZ Lotteries, the ASB Community Trust and Te Puni Kokiri.

It is due for completion in December.