Three double hulled waka, powered by proud Te Arawa descendants, have taken to the waters of Lake Tarawera to celebrate the iwi and its history.
Te Arawa Day was held yesterday, the event has replaced the annual Te Arawa games this year which will now run every second year alongsidethe Te Arawa Regional Kapa Haka competition.
The event was run by Te Papa Takaro o Te Arawa and features a different host hapu each year.
Organiser Jess Massey said this year they decided to host a smaller series of daytime events with co-hosts Ngati Rangitihi, with the larger Te Arawa Games event to be held next year.
This year's event series, which will run throughout the year, is called Nga Akatea Takatakai ki Tarawera, with the first part of the series held on Lake Tarawera on the weekend, starting at the Tarawera Landing with the blessing of a Tuhourangi representative.
"The waka journeyed from the landing to many sites of significance for both Ngati Rangitihi and Tuhourangi, however during this particular trip sites of significance for Ngati Rangitihi were focused on as they were our hosts," Ms Massey said.
"The purpose of running these small scale events is to allow people more opportunity to connect to these places over a longer period of time and we are not looking to attract the masses like at your typical large sports event.
"We are giving our people the opportunity to access knowledge and korero (talk) of the many places our tupuna (ancestors) once lived."
She said paddlers ranged from babies right through to national champions and others that had never been on a waka before, let alone the lake itself."
She said the fun day wouldn't have been possible without the amazing support and guidance from Te Waiariki Purea Trust, Hei Matau Waka Ama Club, Rotorua Coastguard, Pererika Makiha and many more.
"The next event of the series will continue to focus on the relationship we have with Tarawera maunga."
She said more details would be released through the Te Papa Takaro Te Arawa Facebook page within the next month.
