Te Ao Māori

Video: Waka launched to celebrate Waitangi Day

14:31 pm on 6 February 2019

Waka from around the North Island have been launched at Waitangi in an annual celebration on the water to mark Waitangi Day.

Thousands of spectators lined the shore to watch the spectacular event as 13 waka crewed by both men and women paddled around Te Tii Bay next to the lower marae.

The waka came ashore where the craft and crews were blessed before sailing around the bay.

Waka crews at Waitangi Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae

Read more about this year's Waitangi Day commemorations:

  • Waitangi dawn ceremony draws more than 1000
  • Waitangi Day celebrations spread to Queenstown for first time
  • Slates with first written te reo Māori get UNESCO heritage recognition
  • Waitangi Treaty: Letters shed light on Māori plight for sovereignty
  • Pōwhiri as Jacinda Ardern speaks from Waitangi