increase font size
600 year-old waka discovered near the Anaweka estuary on the North West tip of the South Island.
The University of Auckland, Manawhenua ki Mōhua iwi and Fonterra have embarked on a collaborative project to preserve a 600 year-old waka – one of the South Island's most culturally significant discoveries.
The conservation partnership was initiated after the local Nichols family discovered the ancient waka near the Anaweka estuary on the North West tip of the South Island.
Manawhenua ki Mōhua iwi says the waka has attracted attention because of its detailed length of New Zealand matai and its extraordinary carving in the shape of a sea turtle on the hull.
"Turtle images are rare in pre-European carvings in New Zealand, suggesting the canoe's Polynesian ancestral origins, with its last estimated journey around 1400AD. This was no small find, spanning just over six metres in length and 85 centimetres at its widest point (Johns 2014).
"We are pleased that Fonterra has recently joined forces with us on this important on-going project, providing the new home for the canoe for the duration of its restoration."
Fonterra's upper south operations manager Chris Win says the cooperative was approached by elders from the local iwi to discuss the possibility of utilising one of the Takaka site's buildings to house the waka.
"Given the importance of the discovery and the three years needed to restore it, the kaumatua were looking for somewhere big and secure where they could work on the waka – something we were proud to accommodate. Housing this waka has given our site the opportunity to be involved in an amazing piece of cultural history that is of great significance to our community.
"To witness the level of ownership, pride and understanding our staff have shown in this community project over the past few months has been extremely rewarding for everyone involved."
University of Auckland Professor Dilys Johns has conducted a series of detailed conservation assessments over several months and planned a variety of treatments to provide structural strength to the wood, increasing the waka's longevity.
"We have recently completed removal of chlorides and begun the next phase of treatment, providing stability for the degraded waka during drying," says Johns.
"In addition to providing a unique example of pre-European maritime history, the conservation project will facilitate on-going relationships with the Manawhenua ki Mōhua iwi, local community, Fonterra and University of Auckland."
This conserved piece of Māori heritage will be available to the public for viewing once treatment is complete and a suitable venue for exhibition has been decided.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.
OPINION: Farmer shareholders of two of New Zealand's largest co-operatives have an important decision to make this month and what they decide could change the landscape of the dairy and meat sectors in New Zealand.
OPINION: As CEO of the Dairy Board in the 1980s I was fortunate to work with a team of experienced and capable executives who made most of the brand investments that created the international consumer business Fonterra inherited. Soprole in Chile was the largest, but there were more than 20 countries where consumer marketing companies were established and Anchor and other brands were successfully launched.
Fonterra has delivered a fifth straight year of record organic milk price for farmer suppliers.
Fonterra says favourable weather conditions supporting pasture growth is boosting milk production.
Like many manufacturers around the world, European agricultural machinery and tractor manufacturers are currently operating in a difficult market environment. But they are heading to the world’s largest agricultural machinery event in Hanover next month with a degree of cautious optimism.
Established in 2021, the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards champion the important contribution parts and service technicians make to the Australian and New Zealand agriculture, construction and forestry industries.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling on farmers from all regions to take part in the final season of the Sheep Poo Study aiming to build a clearer picture of how facial eczema (FE) affects farms across New Zealand.
New Zealand is closer to eradicating bovine TB than ever before, but possums remain a threat, says Beef + Lamb New Zealand.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.
The ACT Party says media reports that global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance shows why New Zealand needs to rethink its approach to climate.
OPINION: Dairy industry players are also falling by the wayside as the economic downturn bites around the country.
OPINION: Methane Science Accord, a farmer-led organisation advocating for zero tax on ruminant methane, will be quietly celebrating its first…
