This week, waka hourua (traditional twin hulled sailing boats) converged on Kaiteriteri for the first time in over one thousand years with the aim to pass on some ancient Māori and Pacific wayfinding knowledge to school students from around the rohe.
Nayland College was lucky enough to have the opportunity to take thirty two students from the Year 10 Waka Ama/Wayfinding module, and junior reo Māori classes.
The day began with a mihi whakatau, after which the school groups participated in a round-robin of workshops ranging from moon, sun and star navigation using markers we see in the environment; to crewing, travel and life on board the waka out at sea.
Special thanks goes out to Matua Bruno for organising the day, and to all those rangatahi for representing Te Kāreti o Neirana so proudly.
By Matt Penney
