Another taonga viewed by the board in Mohua recently was the Anaweka waka. Discovered by local resident Tony Nicholls in 2011, the 6.2m section is believed to be part of a sophisticated and much larger sailing vessel. Made of NZ matai, there is a raised turtle motif, and the piece has been dated as approximately 700 years old.Archaeologist Dilys Johns is overseeing the preservation of the waka, which is currently stored in a purpose built bath filled with a glycol solution to assist with conservation of the cell structure of the wood. It is possible that over time the waka structure will be stabilised enough to remove it from the bath. The Board appreciates the ongoing support of Manawhenua ki Mohua and Fonterra with the preservation of this taonga.
As the karanga rang out more than 100 whānau and manuhiri representing all corners of Te Tauihu filed in to Te Kahu o Waipuna Marlborough Art Gallery to give mauri to Te Heke Whakangā on Saturday morning.
Our second Te Aka Tairoa wānanga was held in Motueka on Sunday. Joined by whānau and tamariki we ran through our survey results so far, and explored what future communications might look like.
Te Heke Whakangā is a partnership between Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua, its subsidiary Tokomaru Research Centre and Ngāti Rārua o Te Wairau Society. The exhibition runs at Te Kahu o Waipuna Marlborough Art Gallery from June 15 to July 28.
On Monday, Ngāti Rārua Pouwhakahaere Shane Graham signed a key terms sheet with Snap Core. Later that evening Ngāti Rārua representatives helped bless and open the company’s new manufacturing facility on Beatty Street.