After a five-year absence from Waitangi celebrations, the grand dame of waka, Ngatokimatawhaorua, celebrated its 70th anniversary this year on the water.
The waka played a major part in ceremonies for the 170th commemorations of the signing of the Treaty. Organisers are expecting the largest flotilla of waka - up to 23 are attending, bringing 1000 paddlers.
In 1940 Ngatoki was commissioned by Princess Te Puea to mark the 100th year of the signing of the Treaty. Selections for the final 80 kaihoe or paddlers had been made and many understood that it would be a special honour to get onboard this year, Mr Conrad said.
"The waka is a living thing, it has its own wairua [spirit], and you know when you're sitting on it you're sitting with your tupuna [ancestors].
Ngatoki also made an appearance in the Hokianga last week at the re enactment of the signing of the treaty at Maungungu Mission house which hundreds attended. There is a special significance with Hokianga and the original Matawhaorua and Ngatokimatawhaorua waka which journeyed from Hawaiki captained by Kupe and then by his descendant Nukutawhiti which he finally settled in Hokianga.
Kaua e rangiruatia te hā o te hoe; e kore tō tātou waka e ū ki uta.
‘Do not lift the paddle out of unison or our canoe will never reach the shore.’
This proverb serves to emphasise the importance of all working together to succeed in any joint project
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