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Waka Odyssey opens 2018 New Zealand Festival

Monday, February 26, 2018

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Waka FestivalAutumn New Zealand’s unique cultural identity came alive on 23 Feb, 2018 as tens of thousands of spectators gathered on Wellington’s waterfront for ‘A Waka Odyssey’ – a spectacular on-water show launching the 30th New Zealand Festival.

 

A fleet of waka led by four majestic waka hourua – double-hulled sailing canoes in which Polynesian seafarers crossed the oceans well before later European explorers – sailed into Wellington Harbour at dusk on Friday 23 February. They were joined by paddlers on waka ama (outrigger canoes) and waka taua (war-canoes) depicting the past, present and future of Aotearoa New Zealand like nothing before.

 

As the waka sailed into Wellington Harbour, the air was filled with the sounds of the Pacific, a thundering 1000-strong haka and a mass choir for the 2018 New Zealand Festival opening Kupe that was two years in the making.

 

 

NZ Festival – Waka Odyssey:

 

 

Performers paid tribute to Polynesian explorer Kupe’s discovery of Aotearoa and first landing of the waka Matahorua in the harbour. Kupe and his wife Kuramarotini were played by well-known actors Te Kohe Tuhaka (Shortland Street) and Māori songstress Maisey Rika.

 

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