Waka at Okahu Bay, Auckland

This waka was up on the beach at Okahu Bay last Monday.  It is one of five travelling the Pacific.

I found the following information in an article put out by 3 News.  As this one is flying the Maori flag I presume it is the New Zealand one.

Waka from Hawaii and the Pacific on a worldwide voyage are being welcomed to Auckland.

Two Hawaiian waka and four from around the Pacific will be visible on Waitemata Harbour from 7am this morning.

They are due to land at Okahu Bay at 8.30am where the Ngati Whatua Orakei and Tamaki Herenga Waka Trust will welcome them with a powhiri.

"We are honoured to welcome the crew and waka here to Tamaki," Ngati Whatua Orakei trust chair Phil Davis said.

"These waka are travelling a similar path and using the same celestial navigation techniques as our tupuna (ancestors) did, which is really special."

The two Hawaiian waka, Hokulea and Hikianalia, from the Polynesian Voyaging Society will visit more than 25 nations, 85 ports, and 50 islands.

"We have an important connection with Hikianalia, which was launched in Tamaki in 2012 and blessed by our Kaumatua before leaving for Tahiti. It will be great to welcome the waka home again," Mr Davis said.

The four Pacific waka are from the Cook Islands, Samoa, Fiji and Auckland.

NZN

Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/pacific-waka-visit-auckland-2014120707#ixzz3MVgYTLWa