27 June, 2025
Chance to reconnect Illuminated against a backdrop of night sky and Te Awanui Tauranga Harbour at Te Whareorahi Reserve at the end of Park Road, it greeted guests to Katikati’s annual Matariki Dawn Service last Friday. This week it’s been greeting visitors to Western Bay Museum, offering an intimate look into the ancient Māori customs and
traditions of waka. The five-metre replica Waka Taua (carved Māori canoe) is the star of the ‘Te Au o Maui - A Waka Live Exhibition’ at the museum this week. From June 25-29 museum visitors can watch live demonstrations by renowned master carver Hingangaroa Smith and waka builder and carver Haimona Brown, pictured, who’ll
showcase traditional techniques in lashing, carving and waka construction. The waka experts will be on-site 10am-4pm daily, with a noon waka kōrero. “This is a unique opportunity for the community to reconnect with our ancestral waka traditions,” said Haimona Brown. “Preserving waka craftsmanship is vital; today, fewer than a
handful of waka remain in Tauranga Moana.” Find out more on page 5. The waka, which will be on long-term display at the museum, was photographed at Katikati’s Matariki Dawn Service – see page 6. The town’s Matariki celebrations also included two diplomats visiting Te Rereatukahia Marae, see page 3. Photo / Anna Menendez