3 Oct 2014

Waka embarks on ancient voyage

6:43 pm on 3 October 2014

A double-hulled waka will retrace an ancient voyage for the first time in 175 years.

Te Matau a Maui is expected to sail from Ahuriri in Napier to Rangiwhakaoma, or Castlepoint, with a crew of 24 tomorrow.

The sea path was used by legendary waka Matahourua, which Kupe tracked Te Wheke o Muturangi and also Tākitimu waka which also made landfall at Rangiwhakaoma.

A spokesperson for Te Hika A Papauma ki Wairarapa hapu, Charles Morunga, says the waka will be moored there for five days where a number of events would take place.

He said it is a chance for people in the area to cast their minds back to what it was like for their tupuna.

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