The Launch of Tūhua at Lake Kaniere

Over the past six months, our team has been on a remarkable journey — one of restoration, reconnection, and reclaiming the mana of our taonga. This journey culminated last weekend with the launch of Tūhua Waka at Lake Kaniere — a moment of deep pride and significance for our whānau and community.

Tūhua Waka, named after the ancestral connection to Tūhua (Our Maunga), represents more than just a vessel. It carries the wairua (spirit) of our tūpuna, embodying generations of strength, resilience, and the navigational knowledge passed down through the ages. After being carefully restored over the last six months, Tūhua Waka is now ready to glide once again across the waters of Lake Kaniere, connecting our people back to our whakapapa and the ancient traditions of waka ama.

The Journey of Restoration

The restoration of Tūhua Waka has been a labour of love, led Hayley Smith and her dedicated team , and rangatahi. When the waka was first pulled from storage, it was weathered and worn — the wood aged and neglected. Over the following months, the team worked with care and precision to restore the hull, mend the lashings, and breathe new life into the waka.

Our rangatahi were at the heart of this project, they learned the art of lashing, sanding, and oiling the wood. They listened to the kōrero about the whakapapa of Tūhua and the tikanga surrounding waka — how to care for it, how to enter it, and how to respect the connection between the waka, the water, and our ancestors. This was more than a physical restoration — it was a spiritual and cultural reclamation.

A Symbol of Resilience and Reconnection

Tūhua Waka stands as a symbol of resilience, strength, and unity. Its restoration represents the work of reclaiming our identity and reconnecting with our whakapapa. This project was about more than just restoring a waka — it was about restoring the confidence and pride of our rangatahi, reminding them of the strength and wisdom that already exists within them.

Looking ahead, Tūhua Waka will be used regularly for training and future races, providing our rangatahi with opportunities to develop their skills, confidence, and connection to our traditions. It will also serve as a platform for whānau to gather, paddle together, and continue the intergenerational sharing of knowledge.

Tūhua Waka is not just a waka — it is a vessel for our culture, our stories, and our collective future. As it cuts through the waters of Lake Kaniere, it will carry the hopes and dreams of our ancestors and future generations.

Tūhua Waka has been restored — and so have we.

Ngā mihi nui to everyone who contributed their time, energy, and expertise to this kaupapa. This is just the beginning of a new chapter for Tūhua Waka and the generations who will paddle it forward. 🚣‍♀️🚣‍♂️