Tēnā koutou katoa. E mihi nei ki a koutou i roto i ngā āhuatanga o te wā. E mihi nei ki ngā tini aituā kei ngā hau e wha o tō tātou motu. Welcome to the official site for Te Hau Kōmaru National Waka Hourua Charitable Trust.
Raising awareness about waka hourua and all the things connected to it here in Aotearoa.
Mātauranga Waka
Voyaging - Astronomy - Para Kore - Environmental Awareness - Community Connectivity
By the end of the festival we hope to have increased your understanding of the types of knowledge systems associated with the practice of waka hourua and share in the mātauranga of traditional navigation here in Aotearoa
Waka arrival into Kāwhia Harbour
Due at 10am Saturday 15th October
Get a good view of the Waka Hourua flotilla as they sail into Kāwhia Harbour.
Waka Workshops for Schools
Monday the 17th to Friday the 21st of October
Maketū Marae
School kids will have the chance to explore the navigational knowledge of Te Moana nui a Kiwa. With activities for all ages, the session will start at 10am and finish at 2:30pm. Schools must book in advance to secure spots.
My Grandfather is a Canoe
21st October - 6:30pm
Kāwhia Town Hall
Friday the 21st we will host award winning theatre play 'My Grandfather is a Canoe'. Based on the poetry book by Faumuina Tafuna'i, it speaks to song, laughter and love. There are no tickets required for this event. Koha entry on arrival.
Public Waka Workshops
Saturday 22nd - Sunday 23rd October
9am - 3pm
Come down Maketū Marae and enjoy an afternoon exploring the waka, learning about the stars, navigation and Pacific voyaging through our Waka Workshops
Closing Ceremony
Monday 24th October
6am start
Maketū Marae
Bring your whānau along to close off our week long experience and farewell the waka hourua as they set sail for their next destination, Te Whanga nui a Tara. Send your best wishes as they look to celebrate the reopening of the waka exhibit at Te Papa Tongarewa.