1 day ago · The number of waka spectators also swelled, taking up most of the beach, road, bridge and even a nearby jetty. Some even took to the water themselves, sailing small craft like dinghies and inflatable boats. But before waka hit the waters at Waitangi, hundreds gathered in the darkness before dawn. Dawn ceremony

20 hours ago · A Waka, a Māori canoe, is paddled at at Waitangi, New Zealand on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, as the country begins to mark the anniversary of its founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi. (David White/STUFF via AP)

Jan 30, 2025 · Crowds will gather to watch the flotilla of waka paddle around the bay, including the world's largest ceremonial waka, Ngātokimatawhaorua, built over a century ago. Crowds fill the seashore to watch the flotilla of waka on Waitangi Day.

2 days ago · On Waitangi Day, following the Dawn Karakia at Te Tou Rangatira (the land next to the Te Tii Marae), the flag raising ceremony, and the roll call of tūpuna who signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi in 1840, waka ceremonies will begin on Te Tii Beach at 9am, where thousands will gather to watch the kaihoe waka in action.

The world's largest ceremonial waka. Get up close and observe the beautiful detail of this Māori war waka called Ngātokimatawhaorua. Book and visit today.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds is open every day, except Christmas Day. Visitors to Waitangi purchase Admission which includes access to all heritage buildings and taonga, the world's largest waka, two museums and a full programme of tours and cultural performances.

Sep 10, 2023 · Ngātokimatawhaorua is the waka taua that sits on the Treaty Grounds at Waitangi. Built for the 1940 centennial commemoration of the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the giant war canoe “remains a powerful symbol of Māori identity, strength and pride”.

Waka are woven into annual Waitangi Day commemorations, the main attraction the launching of Ngātokimatawhaorua, which requires at least 80 kaihoe (paddlers). From whakataukī to pepeha to waka ama, waka are a big part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s identity.

1 day ago · Star power at South's Waitangi celebrations; Chairman of Ngā waka o Te Tai Tokerau Robert Gabel said he believed this year's turnout of 24 waka at Waitangi equalled the record previously set in 1990. Gabel said this year's fleet featured many new waka, a lot of smaller waka and many built by the late Sir Hekenukumai Busby.

The annual waka parade at Waitangi began with a powerful haka on the beach outside Te Tii Marae. Among the waka to launch is Takitimu Waka. It was the first ...