waka Archives | E-Tangata

Ngātokimatawhaorua: The story of a waka

Posted by Jeff Evans | Sep 10, 2023 | History

Te Puea “instinctively understood that anyone, Māori or Pākehā, who saw waka taua on the water were enthralled by them. And that is what she wanted to create: a symbol to make Māori feel proud, and for Pākehā to admire.” — Jeff Evans, in Ngātokimatawhaorua: The biography of a waka.

WAKA Episode 6: A vision for the future, from the past

Posted by Simone Kaho | Feb 7, 2021 | Video

“Spending time with the carvers, I come to understand that waka holds power that can only be practised in good faith.” — Simone Kaho.

WAKA Episode 5: No log needed — just a 3D printer

Posted by Simone Kaho | Feb 4, 2021 | Video

In Episode 5 of Waka, Derek Kawiti takes up the challenge to 3D-print a life-size replica of an ancient Hawaiian wa’a.

WAKA Episode 4: The edge of old times

Posted by Simone Kaho | Feb 3, 2021 | Video

“I can look at the wood and see parts of the canoe. The shape. Like a vision in my head.” — Freddie Tauotaha, Tahitian master waka builder, who came to Aotearoa to finish the va’a his father started 27 years before.

WAKA Episode 3: Creatures of perfection

Posted by Simone Kaho | Feb 2, 2021 | Video

The Hawaiians are considered the best technical experts in canoe building: “They make creatures of perfection,” says James Eruera.

WAKA Episode 2: The future

Posted by Simone Kaho | Feb 1, 2021 | Video

“Billy Harrison isn’t just carrying the mana of the Aotearoa team in this symposium. He’s the future of waka building in Aotearoa. If tārai waka is to survive here, it will need more like Billy and his teammates.” — Simone Kaho.

WAKA Episode 1: The revival

Posted by Simone Kaho | Jan 31, 2021 | History, Video

“The knowledge of wayfinding and waka building was almost lost as a living practice, destined to survive only in historical journals and museums. Luckily for us, a small group took up the battle to keep them alive.” — Simone Kaho.

James Eruera and his waka kaupapa

Posted by Dale Husband | May 17, 2020 | Arts

“There are very few who’ll understand how it feels to know that you’ve built this vessel that’s gone across the ocean and that’s delivered your people safely to their destination.” — James Eruera, master waka carver.