EXHIBITION UNDER CONSTRUCTION!
"Te Wao Nui o Tāne"
This partially completed Waka was discovered on the 17th of April 2002. It was buried deep in the gravel and sands of the River Run Quarry of Brian & Greta Withers, along the Rangiatea Road.
The 13 metre totara log was partially hollowed out and shaped by stone and possibly iron tools about 150 - 200 years ago. Before the roots were removed, for some reason, possibly a major flood that destroyed the village, it was abandoned.
It gradually become buried by successive flooding of the Waipā River, until found by Brian Withers while working the large garvel pit.
After much vigorous debate among Māori representatives of Ngāti Maniapoto & Ngāti Matakore, the decision was made by kaumātua Ben Rangitaawa to site Te Waka on neutral ground. Permission was given by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, and the Ōtorohanga District Council, for the 8 tonne Waka to be taken to the Ōtorohanga Museum grounds for preservation and conservation.
It was in a very fragile condition, it needed special care and treatment over a 4 year period to dry it out. As the Waka is a unique National Taonga, a special whare was build around it to protect it.
Te Whare o Te Waka ko Te Wao Nui o Tāne was officially opened on the 17th of April 2007.
Written by the Ōtorohanga Museum patron Nan Owen.
The 13 metre totara log was partially hollowed out and shaped by stone and possibly iron tools about 150 - 200 years ago. Before the roots were removed, for some reason, possibly a major flood that destroyed the village, it was abandoned.
It gradually become buried by successive flooding of the Waipā River, until found by Brian Withers while working the large garvel pit.
After much vigorous debate among Māori representatives of Ngāti Maniapoto & Ngāti Matakore, the decision was made by kaumātua Ben Rangitaawa to site Te Waka on neutral ground. Permission was given by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, and the Ōtorohanga District Council, for the 8 tonne Waka to be taken to the Ōtorohanga Museum grounds for preservation and conservation.
It was in a very fragile condition, it needed special care and treatment over a 4 year period to dry it out. As the Waka is a unique National Taonga, a special whare was build around it to protect it.
Te Whare o Te Waka ko Te Wao Nui o Tāne was officially opened on the 17th of April 2007.
Written by the Ōtorohanga Museum patron Nan Owen.