Waitangi Maori NZ

Maori kaihoe paddlers standing by to launch a waka canoe, New Zealand.  
Rourke in the foreground

The first European to visit the Bay of Islands was Captain Cook, who named the region in 1769. The Bay of Islands was the first area in New Zealand to be settled by Europeans. Whalers arrived towards the end of the 18th century, while the first missionaries settled in 1814. Before that the Maori alone inhabited New Zealand.

Waitangi Day marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. In that year, representatives of the British Crown and over 500 Māori chiefs signed what is often considered to be New Zealand’s founding document.

During our stay anchored off the sleepy village of Opua in the Bay of Islands, Rourke joined a bone carving class that was taught by Rob who happened to be one of those who had taken part in the ceremony of the Waitangi Day Celebation for many years.  This takes place once a year. 


As Rourke had shown an interest in the Maori culture and carving, Rob invited Rourke to go on a 3 day training camp with the  maori kaihoe (paddlers) and to join the ranks of the kaihoe for the upcoming Waitiangi Day Celebration immersing himself in the Maori culture. 


The Maori's paddle the original waka's (large decorated war canoes (waka taua) up to 40 metres (130 ft) long. Waka taua (war canoes) are big canoes manned by up to 80 paddlers. Large waka, which are usually elaborately carved and decorated, consist of a main hull formed from a single hollowed-out log, along with a carved upright head and tailboard.

 Learning some of the Maori language and how to do the Haka were also on the cards.

Maori kaihoe doing the Haka.

A haka is a traditional ancestral war cry, dance or challenge from the Māori people of New Zealand. It is a dance performed by a group, with vigorous movements and stamping of the feet with rhythmically shouted accompaniment.  The New Zealand rugby team's practice of performing a haka before their matches has made the dance more widely known around the world.

Listening to a bit of history

more of the Haka, the traditional war cry

Rourke with the proud Maori kaihoe in the Waka

Kaihoe paddling the Waka out in the Bay of Islands

The time had come to do a road trip around the North and South Islands of New Zealand.  We have heard so much of the beauty of New Zealand and now it was time to see it ourselves, so WOOHOO, join us on a ROAD TRIP!